I got "gypped" is a racial slur

[ghall]

I have seen the term "gypped" just too many times in posts on the forum to not say anything. The term is offensive because it equates the Gypsy, or Roma peoples, with being thieves, cheats and con artists. I realize that the vast majority of people are unaware of the origins of the term and use it innocently. I hope that fewer people will use the term and please don't let it pass without mention. I had to get this off my chest.

[ADinNYC]

Interesting. I honestly didn't realize its origin and will refrain from using it in the future. Thanks

http://racerelations.about.com/od/di...d-Racist_2.htm

[trev333]

I was aware of the connection... it was never a word to get used in Oz much....

I can't say if I've ever noticed the word on any posts I remember?...

[william tele]

What if I told you the term gypped came into popularity around the time of the Klondike goldrush? Prospective miners were required to have a certain and specific quantity of supplies and one of those quantities was a 200 lb. sack of flour. These provisions were checked by the Mounties as the propecters crossed the mountains into the Klondike. Some of these miners found that rather than a full 200 lbs of flour, thier sacks might be half filled with another highly available powder found near the Klondike...gypsum. Yep, they got gypped...

[ROADMAN]

thieves ,cheats and con-artists....I thought we weren't allowed to talk about politicians

[telefunken]

Originally Posted by william tele

What if I told you the term gypped came into popularity around the time of the Klondike goldrush? Prospective miners were required to have a certain and specific quantity of supplies and one of those quantities was a 200 lb. sack of flour. These provisions were checked by the Mounties as the propecters crossed the mountains into the Klondike. Some of these miners found that rather than a full 200 lbs of flour, thier sacks might be half filled with another highly available powder found near the Klondike...gypsum. Yep, they got gypped...

I heard the same...........not everything is a racial slur

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by william tele

What if I told you the term gypped came into popularity around the time of the Klondike goldrush?

If you did tell me that, I wouldn't believe you.
You're going to have to provide some sources for your definition. I've never heard of this origin. Every authoritative dictionary lists the "Gypsy" origin.

[Slow Reflexes]

Originally Posted by telefunken

I heard the same...........not everything is a racial slur

Sometimes a spade is just a spade?

According to Merriam-Webster, "gyp" was in use as a noun in England as much as a hundred years prior to the Klondike rush - so that seems an unlikely root.

[Badabing]

So we can't talk about goldminers either...??...

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

Sometimes a spade is just a spade?

Ouch. Although it's a clever pun, it's just not right.

[telefunken]

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

Sometimes a spade is just a spade?

Now THAT'S funny!!!

[Slow Reflexes]

Originally Posted by kelnet

Ouch. Although it's a clever pun, it's just not right.

Sorry. I just hate when people get up in arms over calling a spade a spade - because it's a dang shovel and has been for hundreds of years.

[Jim Beam]

when these Romani people first appeared in Europe, it was believed that they came from Egypt, that is where the term "gypsies" originated. And equating that with getting ripped off or cheated is fully justified, as the Romani people then and now have a deserved reputation for deception and thievery.

[JDC]

I may be guilty of have spoken that, when I was a child (doesn't "he gypped me" sound too whiny for an adult to use?) but it just occurred to me that I've never written it in a forum or anywhere else because looking at the word, I wouldn't have known how to spell it.

That said, I'd also never nave connected the two until you mentioned it.

[BigDaddyLH]

I need a rule of thumb for decided whether something is offensive or not.

[telefunken]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLH

I need a rule of thumb for decided whether something is offensive or not.

If it's not "Obvious" and you didn't mean it "That" way.......it's not offensive.

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

Sorry. I just hate when people get up in arms over calling a spade a spade - because it's a dang shovel and has been for hundreds of years.

I know what you're saying. However, your post made a direct reference to the derogatory use of the word, taking it just over that proverbial line.
But yes, I have a garden spade in my shed.

[kelnet]

If one is going to be offensive, one should do it completely and wholeheartedly. None of this "I don't mean to be offensive" nonsense.

[Comanche]

I guess I have to stop using, "stop trying to Jew me down." too?

[jbmando]

deleted - wrong.