gyp
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
Etymology 1 [edit]
Probably from the term gypsy (“Roma”), due to a stereotype of the Roma as swindlers. Compare jew (“defraud”), from Jew, and welsh (“swindle by defaulting on a debt”), from Welsh.[1]
Alternative forms [edit]
Noun [edit]
gyp (plural gyps)
- (pejorative, sometimes offensive) A cheat or swindle; a rip-off.
- Why do we have to buy this new edition of the textbook when there’s almost no difference between it and the previous one? What a gyp!
Usage notes [edit]
Because this term is often considered to derive[1] from the the problematic exonymic term Gypsy and represent a racist stereotype of the Romani, it may be offensive. See the usage note about gypsy.
Translations [edit]
Verb [edit]
gyp (third-person singular simple present gyps, present participle gypping, simple past and past participle gypped)
- (pejorative, sometimes offensive) To cheat or swindle someone of something inappropriately.
- The cab driver gypped me out of ten bucks by taking the longer route.
- You better watch out; they'll try to gyp you if you don't know what you're doing.
Usage notes [edit]
See the notes about the noun, above.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- Gyp: Thieve, World Wide Words
- Etymology of "Gyp" / "gypped", Vocaboly.com
Etymology 2 [edit]
Perhaps the same as Etymology 1.
Noun [edit]
gyp (plural gyps)
Etymology 3 [edit]
Shortening.
Noun [edit]
gyp (plural gyps)
Etymology 4 [edit]
Perhaps from gee up.
Noun [edit]
gyp (plural gyps)
- Pain or discomfort.
- My back's giving me gyp.
