Gipsy (g soft)

(2) Boheʹmians. So called by the French, because the first that ever arrived in their country came from Bohemia in 1427, and presented themselves before the gates of Paris. They were not allowed to enter the city, but were lodged at La Chapelle, St. Denis. The French nickname for gipʹsies is cagoux (unsociables).

(3) Cigaʹnos. So called by the Portuguese, a corruption of Zingaʹnè. (See Tchingaʹni.)

(4) Gitaʹnos. So called by the Spaniards, a corruption of Zingaʹnè. (See Tchingaʹni.)

(5) Heidens (heathens). So called by the Dutch, because they are heathens.

(6) Pharaoh-nepek (Pharaoh’s people). So called in Hungary, from the notion that they came from Egypt.

(7) Sinte. So called by themselves, because they assert that they came from Sind, i.e. Ind (Hindustan). (See Tchingaʹni.)

(8) Tatar. So called by the Danes and Swedes, from the notion that they came from Tartary.

(9) Tchingaʹni or Tshingani. So called by the Turks, from a tribe still existing at the mouth of the Indus (Tshin-calo, black Indian).

(10) Walaʹchains. So called by the Italians, from the notion that they came from Walachia.

(11) Zigeuʹner (wanderers). So called by the Germans.

(12) Zincaʹli or Zingaʹni. Said to be so called by the Turks, because in 1517 they were led by Zingaʹneus to revolt from Sultan Selim; but more likely a mere variety of Tchingani (q.v.).

⁂ Their language, called “Romăny,” contains about 5,000 words, the chief of which are corrupt Sanskrit.

⁂ There is a legend that these people are waifs and strays on the earth, because they refused to shelter the Virgin and her child in their flight to Egypt. (Aventinus, Annāles Boiorum, chap. viii.)