Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy" - Import1

24 Oct 2015

"Spiral".

That said, I've yet to hear a report of a Romani being offended. It's my
understanding that this may be a problem, say, in Europe, where the term
may be used as a slur. But here in America... we have plenty of racial
slurs, and I've yet to hear or hear of gypsy being used in a derogatory
manner.

But hey, prove me wrong. I'm just one person who hears things.

Should Brits stop calling cigarettes "fags" because we Americans have
hurtfully turned that into a slur?
On Oct 24, 2015 2:52 PM, "Richard Hart via Callers" <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:

...
  I always describe a gypsy as being just like a dos à
dos, but face to
 face, instead of back to back.

 As that is the case, why not use French again. As "dos à dos" means
 back to back, why not use "face à face" which means face to face?
 Pronunciation would probably be difficult for those who don't speak
 French, so it would probably become "facey-face" for many.

 On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 10:08 AM, Don Veino via Callers
 &lt;callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:
  Before I respond directly, I ask that all of us
posting what I expect to  be
  many replies to trim post quotes to just the
pertinent bits (particularly
 those reading the "digest" version).
  ....
  Curiously enough, I'd raised this naming
issue with a group of callers  (and
  dancers glommed on) at a house party recently. An
area caller had tried
 rebranding the Gypsy as an Orbit, which this group rejected due to the
 existing usage & meaning for that term. One participant was of Romani
 heritage and expressed pride at the existing term and satisfaction at it
 being used for such a nice dance move and would feel loss were it to be
 renamed. I don't mention this to make excuses for anything that might  offend
  but rather to show that there are many possible
perspectives. I'd since
 thought of other possible names and came up with these:

 Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in sound
 Cyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon?
 Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out.

 Sorry you find yourself in this situation. We know your actual intent  was to
  bring happiness, not offend.

 -Don
  _______________________________________________
 Callers mailing list
 Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
 http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net