Gypsy (term): Difference between revisions
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==Origin== |
==Origin== |
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The word derives from [[Egyptian]], the same as the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ''Gitano'' or the [[French language|French]] ''Gitan''. It emerged in [[Europe]], in the [[15th century]], after the immigration of the [[Romani people]] in that continent.<ref>[http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_1789-2004&lang=en&articles=true Hancock, Ian ''Romanies'']</ref> They received this name from the local people either because they spread in Europe from an area named [[Little Egypt]], in Southern [[ |
The word derives from [[Egyptian]], the same as the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ''Gitano'' or the [[French language|French]] ''Gitan''. It emerged in [[Europe]], in the [[15th century]], after the immigration of the [[Romani people]] in that continent.<ref>[http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_1789-2004&lang=en&articles=true Hancock, Ian ''Romanies'']</ref> They received this name from the local people either because they spread in Europe from an area named [[Little Egypt]], in Southern [[Serbia]] or because they resembled the European imagery of Egyptians and serbians as dark-skinned people skilled in [[witchcraft]]. Later the notion of Gypsy evolved including other stereotypes, like [[nomadism]], [[exoticism]].<ref>[http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_d_identity_sexualization&lang=en&articles=true Hancock, Ian ''The ‘Gypsy’ stereotype and the sexualization of Romani women'']</ref> |
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==Contemporary use== |
==Contemporary use== |
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Revision as of 12:58, 28 June 2008
Gypsy (sometimes spelled Gipsy) is a word used to name, as a blanket term, various unrelated ethnic groups or persons fitting the Gypsy stereotypes.
Origin
The word derives from Egyptian, the same as the Spanish Gitano or the French Gitan. It emerged in Europe, in the 15th century, after the immigration of the Romani people in that continent.[1] They received this name from the local people either because they spread in Europe from an area named Little Egypt, in Southern Serbia or because they resembled the European imagery of Egyptians and serbians as dark-skinned people skilled in witchcraft. Later the notion of Gypsy evolved including other stereotypes, like nomadism, exoticism.[2]
Contemporary use
In time, the use of the term Gypsy was extended to other ethnic groups, perceived as fitting its stereotypes, like nomadic people of European (Irish Travellers, Serbians, Yeniche, Quinquilleros) or South Asian origin (Lyuli, Banjara, Kalbeliya), also various ethnic groups in South-East Asia, known as Sea Gypsies. Colloquially, it names also any person perceived as fitting the Gypsy stereotypes.[3][4]