Is the term "gypped" offensive to those of Romanian descent?

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Discrimination and stereotypes

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	Is the term "gypped" offensive to those of Romanian descent? By SelahWrites Asked Jan 31 2008 11:39AM	55 Pts Rate Question

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by Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness on Jan 31, 2008 at 11:41 am Permalink

Being "Gypped" is offensive to the Rromani, i.e. "Gypsy". That is where the word "gypped" came from.

We are not RomaniAN. We are RromanI. Romania is a country, Rromani (however we spell it) is a people.

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Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Jan, 31 2008 at 03:27 PM

It does not help that my avatar is of a long-haired person. No problems. :)

anonymous Feb, 01 2008 at 05:11 AM

I need not answer the question now, thanks to you, Arisztid. I have read a fascinating book on the subject of the Rromani peoples called "Bury Me Standing". It was incredibly insightful and blew all of those long-standing myths about 'gypsies' away. I found the people in the book to be incredibly creative, talented, musical, and kind. The treatment of these people was (and still is) a travesty. Thanks for enlightening so many about your people here on AB!

Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Feb, 01 2008 at 11:55 AM

:D Thankyou Molecule! Thankyou for caring enough to read and think as well :)

Answer 2 out of 5

by iwnit on Feb 1, 2008 at 5:36 am Permalink

I think that the term would be offensive to anyone.

It would also be offensive for people of Romanian descent for one more reason: because it is a discriminative and offensive insult which has been used against Romani people (those who came from India). Many Romanian people (descending from the Vlachs of Romania) don't want to be taken for Romani.

Sometimes, sadly, it is not only the need of respect for their own identity, but it could always be racism against the Romani.
But I hope it is a small minority.

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iwnit Feb, 02 2008 at 02:05 AM

Arisztid: I know. I was not 100% sure of the meaning, and I found it in this reference.
:-)

Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Mar, 21 2008 at 05:23 AM

I finally got a chance to strut my stuff! I think you might understand how much fun I had with this one:
http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2545618

Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Mar, 21 2008 at 05:22 AM

I finally got to strut my stuff! I had more fun in this than most people can imagine. I believe that you could understand:
http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2545618

Answer 3 out of 5

by kanara on Jul 15, 2008 at 8:11 pm Permalink

wow i just realized it was from the word gypsy. i wont say it anymore.

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Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Jan, 23 2009 at 10:54 PM

Thankyou. :)

Answer 4 out of 5

by italiagirl on Jul 3, 2008 at 9:10 pm Permalink

Start by not calling them gypsies, I think. Its Romani or Roma. And yes that saying is offensive, its a racial slur and has become way too commonly used among teens

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Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Jan, 23 2009 at 10:54 PM

Thankyou!

Answer 5 out of 5

by Kalryne on Feb 22, 2008 at 3:20 pm Permalink

How can you become a Gypsy?

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Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness Mar, 21 2008 at 05:19 AM

You cannot unless you are born a Gypsy. It is carried on our genome... our DNA. It is not a lifestyle or a club. Here is an answer I just posted about us:
http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2545618