English

Noun

Zigeuner ‎(plural Zigeuners)

1. Alternative form of zigeuner

German

Etymology

Most likely from a Greek term meaning "untouchable"; compare the modern Greek designations Τσιγγάνοι ‎(Tsingánoi), Αθίγγανοι ‎(Athínganoi).^[1][2][3] Cognate to Hungarian cigány, English tzigane and Russian цыга́н ‎(cygán); see those entries for other cognates and for more information.

The extended senses derive from racist and/or Romantic stereotypes of the Roma.

Noun

Zigeuner m ‎(plural Zigeuner, feminine form Zigeunerin, feminine plural Zigeunerinnen)

1. (sometimes offensive) Gypsy, member of the Roma, Romani person
2. (sometimes offensive) member of any of several other nomadic minorities
3. (offensive) disorderly, lazy or dodgy person
4. (offensive) bohemian; unconventional or nonconformist artist or writer

Usage notes

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma rejects the use of "Zigeuner" as a designation for the Roma, regarding it as racist and as having been discredited by the Nazis' use of it. Nonetheless, some Romani individuals continue to rely on the term.^[4]

Derived terms

• Zigeunerart, Zigeunerleben, Zigeunermusik, Zigeunerpack, Zigeunerpilz, Zigeunersoße, Zigeunerschnitzel, Zigeunersprache, Zigeunerweise

Descendants

• Dutch: zigeuner
• English: zigeuner

References

1. ↑ 2004, Viorel Achim, The Roma in Romanian History (Bucharest), page 9
2. ↑ 2007, Jean-Pierre Liégeois, Roma In Europe, page 17
3. ↑ 1993, Struggling for Ethnic Identity: The Gypsies of Hungary (published by Human Rights Watch), page 1
4. ↑ Zu Besuch bei kölschen Sinti: "Markus Reinhardt und seine Familie leben seit Generationen in Deutschland. Den Begriff 'Sinti und Roma' mögen sie nicht, sie bevorzugen das deutsche Wort 'Zigeuner'. Oder kölsche Sinti."

• Anna-Lena Sälzer, Arme, Asoziale, Außenseiter : Künstler- und »Zigeuner«-Diskurse von 1900 bis zum Nationalsozialismus, in »Zigeuner« und Nation : Repräsentation - Inklusion - Exklusion, put out by Herbert Uerlings and Iulia-Karin Patrut (in Frankfurt am Main in 2008), pages 203–230 (re use to designate ethnic groups like the Roma and cultural movements like the Bohemian movement of nonconformist artists)

English

Noun

zigeuner ‎(plural zigeuners)

1. (offensive) A Gypsy.

Usage notes

"Zigeuner" is an imprecise term derived from a Greek word for "untouchable".^[1][2][3] It is considered offensive by many Romani. In Germany, the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma rejects the use of the corresponding German term, "Zigeuner", as a designation for the Roma, regarding it as racist and as having been discredited by the Nazis' use of it.

See also the note about Zigeuner.

References

1. ↑ 2004, Viorel Achim, The Roma in Romanian History (Bucharest), page 9
2. ↑ 2007, Jean-Pierre Liégeois, Roma In Europe, page 17
3. ↑ 1993, Struggling for Ethnic Identity: The Gypsies of Hungary (published by Human Rights Watch), page 1

Dutch

Pronunciation

Etymology

Borrowing from German Zigeuner See the German entry for further etymological information.

Noun

zigeuner m ‎(plural zigeuners, diminutive zigeunertje n, feminine zigeunerin)

1. (sometimes offensive) Gypsy, member of the Roma
2. (sometimes offensive) gypsy, person who leads a nomadic life

Usage notes

See the note on Zigeuner.