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Definition 2024


գնչու

գնչու

Armenian

Noun

գնչու (gnčʿu)

  1. (formal, offensive) a member of the Romani people

Declension

Usage notes

This term is an exonym which "came into regular use in the nineteenth century, when the first research about Armenian Gypsies appeared. However, it never entered broad usage in Armenia", it carries negative connotations, and its use is offensive to members of the Lom people.[1]

Synonyms

  • ցիգան (cʿigan) (colloquial, in Armenia and ex-USSR countries)

Derived terms

See also

References

  1. 2002, in Anthropology & archeology of Eurasia: Volumes 41-42, page 20: " [] with the alloethnonym "Gnchu," on the contrary, we are dealing with the negative. [] The word "Gnchu" as an ethnonym to designate all Gypsies came into regular use in the nineteenth century, when the first research about Armenian Gypsies appeared. However, it never entered broad usage in Armenia and is not used as a name for "Armenian Gypsies." This term is no more acceptable to the Armenian Gypsies than the term "Bosha," and its widespread usage would offend them, inasmuch as it would draw a dividing line between them and the Armenians once and for all."

Old Armenian

Etymology

From գնչեմ (gnčʿem) + -ու (-u).

Adjective

գնչու (gnčʿu)

  1. stammering, stuttering; lisping, speaking with imperfect articulation

Declension

Descendants

References