Quote:
Originally Posted by Forager
Not everyone knows this and I'd like to think no ill-will was intended, but the term "gypsy" is today considered pejorative and a racial slur against the Romani people. This is not to be confused with Romanians, about 90-95% are NOT Romani. Sorry, no lecture intended...but thought it needed to be corrected. Thanks.
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So I guess the word Romani is used to describe Gypsies today? Just like the European Jews, the Romani communities left India for Europe a long time ago, specifically in the 11th century. They do deserve a word to describe them.
It is interesting that the term "Gypsy" became derogatory while the word "Romani" isn't. The word "Jew" or "Juden" was used in a derogatory manner prior to WW2 in Germany-Austria, but has survived intact today. Similarly in Canada, we prefer to use "Inuit" over "Eskimo", or "First Nations" over "Indians". Very interesting. Hence it is safe to say that regular words used today may become derogatory in the future.