1. Noun: Somebody of Romani descent that lives a traveller lifestyle.

2. Verb: To take something without permission

While normally considered a racial slur, the word "gypsy" (in the US) refers to a person of Romani heritage. As with all cultures and groups, there are good and bad. They should not all be lumped into one group.

I have met Rom that have stolen from my store, and I have met many Rom that have been wonderful, paying customers for years. You simply cannot blame an entire race of people for the misdeeds of a few. Are all whites bad? No. All blacks? No.

The Romani in the US are not ethnically similar to the "Chav" or "Travellers" in the UK. At least in the US, the Romani that I have met dress very modestly, and are not bad people. They tend to have strong family values, and they take it very seriously.

A Gypsy is a member of a racial/ethnic group known as the Romani, generally characterized by darker skin and black hair. The largest population of Gypsies now lives in Eastern Europe, however communities of Gypsies can be found in many countries around the world. They first originated in India sometime before 400 AD, and began a nomadic lifestyle that eventually took many of them to Europe. From one initial community in India they have developed into several tribes that exist from India to Spain and from Russia to Northern Africa, and each tribe consists of countless clans, which vary dramatically in culture and lifestyle depending on which tribe and clan and even family they belong to. Clans usually specialize in a single, or few trades, such as horsemanship, fishing, music, dance and entertainment, metal working, and fortune telling.
They have endured much racial discrimination in the past, which still continues today.

Descendant of the original Indian travellers who arrived in Western Europe after the downfall of the Byzantine empire in the 15th Century. The called themselves the 'Lords of Little Egypt' which contracted to Egyptians, Gyptians and eventually Gypsies or Gyppos. Little Egypt was the name given to the area we now call Turkey.

Rom nomad. Sometimes considered a derogatory term.

a person who drinks other peoples alcohol without paying. A moocher. Their tears are exceptionally valuable and are often collected.

Noun. pronounced (JIP-SEE)
1. A person from Romani descent. An ethnic race with origins from India. They are an often persecuted and hated people among outsiders or gadji (Romani term for non-Romani) due to the immense prejudice and derogatory stereo-types believed by most people.

Noun.
2. A person whom chooses to travel, and does not possess permanent residence or stability. This term is often referred to anyone practicing such a lifestyle regardless of ethnicity or background.

Adjective.
3. Something that is in character, ownership, or pertaining to the Romani. (ie: This is a gypsy dance; my gypsy friend is funny; you have a gypsy sense of style)

Once used as a derogatory term the word gypsy is used today to describe persons of nomadic lifestyles, whatever their race or origin. It also describes a counter culture movement that idealizes exploration and art.

Modern gypsies, not to be confused with hippies often play the tambourine and perform some form of belly dance fusion/burlesque or fire dance. Many practice an earth based spirituality. They make their own clothes and wear corsets, dreadlocks and/or adorn their hair with colorful braided yarn extensions.

Gothic/Dark Gypsies may do all of the above but wear mostly black and have many tattoos.

first of all i was upset to read of what other people have wrote about gypsies. that is your image of a gypsy and there way of life but its not like that. gypsies are not treated fairly as for the publicity they get, its all negative.
anyway being a gypsy im sure i would know what the word is more than someone who doesnt share that respect.
a gypsy is a blood line. its not to do with the way you look or anything like that it runs through your blood, like if someone is spanish, french etc.
some gypsies travel, others dont and have adjusted to the modern way of living. they travel with family and close friends which is why they come across in large groups. they travel in caravans usually but years ago gypsies travelled in wagons with horses. alot of gypsies are disrespected in many different ways, so some choose to rebel against law and feel why should we respect those who dont respect us. if gypsies where given a fair chance then maybe people could see how friendly and giving these people are. most gypsies make a living of there own, like dealing.. years ago gypsy men dealt horses and a few other things. things have changed alot over the years for gypsies, although most gypsy women stay at home and look after the home, children etc. i personally have had many people disrespect me for who i am, for know apparent reason so sometimes i do feel like fuck it, why should i treat people nicely when all i get is shit. although some people do not look at you as scum and what they think a gypsy should be, they look at you as a person and i thank people like that.