sos! Russia needs your help

[PINKGREAT]

Dear teachers,

Is the following sentence right?

First, the Gipsydom have brought us a magnet.

Thanks in advance.

Olga.

[vijayjakhar]

it should be .....first , the gipsydom has brought us a magnet.

Dear teachers,

Is the following sentence right?

First, the Gipsydom have brought us a magnet.

Thanks in advance.

Olga.

[PINKGREAT]

In the sententence, I have nothing against of the Gypsys. I don't blame them. I'm not a racist. But in my dictionary it could sound offensive. I mean people under Gypsy nationality in a whole, as each separately.

[Miner49'er]

This sentence is incomplete.

It could be:

At first, the Gipsydom has brought us a magnet which attracts other Gypsies? (Or something else?).

Anyway I don't see anything offensive in that sentence, I think one should at least be able to read the whole paragraph.

[BobK]

I haven't met the word 'Gipsydom' before.

The reason some people regard 'gypsies' as an offensive word is like the reason for avoiding 'Red Indian' in the meaning 'Native American' - it's not PC (Politically Correct).

If gypsies are of Romany origin, they are called 'Romanies'; if not, they are called 'Travellers' (even if they are settled). In the last few years I've heard the word 'Roma' (a borrowed plural word) used instead of 'Romanies'.

b

[Miner49'er]

I think it all depends in which country you live.

In my mind, when I hear the word "Gypsy", it recalls images of raven-black- haired girls dancing in the light of campfires and of the old man that went from door to door asking if there weren't any knifes or scissors to grind when I was still a seven year old boy.

[MikeNewYork]

I haven't met the word 'Gipsydom' before.

The reason some people regard 'gypsies' as an offensive word is like the reason for avoiding 'Red Indian' in the meaning 'Native American' - it's not PC (Politically Correct).

If gypsies are of Romany origin, they are called 'Romanies'; if not, they are called 'Travellers' (even if they are settled). In the last few years I've heard the word 'Roma' (a borrowed plural word) used instead of 'Romanies'.

b

There are many problems with political correctness. A big one is that those who speak for potentially offended groups hardly ever ask the groups themselves. I assume that many people would find "Gypsy" offensive, but many others will not. American Indians (not red Indians) have been asked about "Indian" and most prefer that term to "Native American". I once heard a Canadian railing against the use of the word "Eskimo". According to her, these northern peoples should be called "Inuit". However, when polled, Alaskan Eskimos prferred "Eskimo" to "Inuit", simply because they are not "Inuit". Wrong tribe.