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Gypsies

Gypsies are a wandering people found in small groups throughout Europe, America and Asia. They called themselves Roma and spoke a language known as Romany. Originally they came from a caste of Indian people and their language was related to Sanskrit.

When some gypsies went to Britain around the year 1500 they referred to themselves as Egyptians, and the name gypsies comes from this word. Nowadays, the word is used loosely to describe wandering people who live in groups.

Gypsies have always been regarded with suspicion, and many were killed in Germany during World War II. They live in caravans, many of the vehicles being very picturesque and colorfully decorated. The women are more important in the group than the men. Children once took the mother's name not that of the father. This mother's name is no longer the rule. It is the Gypsy Queen, however, who is most important, and the women generally earn most of the money. They make baskets and pegs, tell fortunes, and are skilled in preparing medicines and remedies from herbs and plants. Very few of them now speak the original Romany language, though a few words and phrases still survive.

Some Gypsy words are said to have crept into the English language. Dad is said to be the original word for 'father', and the slang word 'shaver' is believed to have come from chaver meaning child.