Gypsy
/ˈdʒɪp.si/noun
A member of the Romani people; the term is now widely considered offensive in many contexts.
Did you know?The English word came from the mistaken belief that the Romani people were Egyptians, and that false origin helped turn a people’s identity into a stereotype.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
gypcian
“A person thought to be from Egypt, later applied to Romani people.”
15th Century
English
egypcian
“A mistaken label for Romani people, based on the belief they came from Egypt.”
Late Latin
Latin
Aegyptius
“Egyptian; from Egypt.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Aígyptos
“Egypt.”
Unknown older source
Unknown
Ḥwt-kꜣ-Ptḥ
“An ancient Egyptian name for Memphis, later associated with the name Egypt.”