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Racist origins of "gypsy"

The word "gypsy" is frequently used in pop culture — hiding its origins as a racial slur of a persecuted people. ⚠️ Warning: the following video includes images and audio some viewers may find upsetting or disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.

11/05/2018 10:20 PM

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51 comments

  • Marina G.
    06/12/2021 00:09

    Wait but there are all kinds of nomad travellers-fortune-tellers all over Europe. Is it the same origin from one people? Like the gitanos in Spain...can anyone clarify that for me please?

  • Colleen Z.
    06/01/2021 17:18

    Funny how she uses to the word Gypsy in her hashtag when she finds it so offensive..... I just watched My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding....they use the term numerous times in referring to themselves

  • Emily M.
    05/09/2021 15:59

    Stop making it racist 🤷‍♀️ change your perception and make it into something beautiful 💛

  • Maureen L.
    05/04/2021 17:16

    As for my opinion, I love and respect the Romany,s they were very kind to me many years ago, at the age of 12 I played with them, they taught me how to defend myself from bullies, I am now 81 years in age, and I will never forget my wonderful Romany,s, bless you all 💞💞..

  • Gypsy H.
    06/09/2020 17:19

    and I'm still a traveling soul

  • Gypsy H.
    06/09/2020 17:14

    I will not stop...I AM OF ROMANIAN HERITAGE and the original meaning before defiled meant a traveling group of people whom sold goods

  • Treasa B.
    12/06/2019 20:11

    I like everyone I'm not picky we all have the same thing there isn't anyone out their that is better than the next person in line Tracy.

  • Rebekka L.
    02/04/2019 22:15

    Also, the word Gypsy should start with a capital letter, just as you take care to capitalize Native American. Our name is a proper noun.

  • Rebekka L.
    02/04/2019 22:13

    While it actually does not have origins as a slur, it is often used as one now, and I appreciate her greatly for taking a moment to recognize there are many of us ethnic Gypsies who choose it, over Romany.

  • Rebecca J.
    12/31/2018 12:17

    Thank you. I did not know; now I do.

  • Peter S.
    12/03/2018 11:48

    I have been using the word to describe the type of music from Eastern Europe , for example Gypsy Beats , may need a new label to use in the future

  • Amie A.
    11/26/2018 16:02

    Chéri tuvien jeitaim

  • LM Q.
    11/14/2018 16:01

    Mindblown. Never knew any of this.

  • Jenneine L.
    11/14/2018 02:06

    Gypsy is the new "N" word.

  • Paulina G.
    11/12/2018 13:48

    rename?

  • Razaul R.
    11/12/2018 04:16

    6666666

  • Marie A.
    11/11/2018 16:09

    I’d like to ask everyone who is not Romani not to spell the racial slur anymore. And if, write G*ps* I mean, you wouldn’t do the same on Black People, would you?

  • Karen S.
    11/11/2018 06:11

    I did not know that at all, my mother called herself a gypsy, meaning she was free spirited

  • Shyam S.
    11/11/2018 03:18

    Really! Now the word gypsy is also racist!? I guess soon the word "Human" will be consider racist as well.

  • Greta S.
    11/10/2018 22:14

    It's shocking how many people don't know this.