The Gypsies Part 35

{222} _Yoma_, fol. 21, col. 2.

{238} _Zimbel_. The cymbal of the Austrian gypsies is a stringed instrument, like the zitter.

{241} _Crocus_, in common slang an itinerant quack, mountebank, or seller of medicine; _Pitcher_, a street dealer.

{270} A brief _resume_ of the most characteristic gypsy mode of obtaining property.

{279} Lady, in gypsy _rani_. The process of degradation is curiously marked in this language. _Rani_ (_rawnee_), in Hindi, is a queen.

_Rye_, or _rae_, a gentleman, in its native land, is applicable to a n.o.bleman, while _rashai_, a clergyman, even of the smallest dissenting type, rises in the original _rishi_ to a saint of the highest order.

{280} This was the very same affair and the same gypsies described and mentioned on page 383 of _In Gypsy Tents_, by Francis Hindes Groome, Edinburgh, 1880. I am well acquainted with them.

{285} _Primulaveris_: in German _Schlussel blume_, that is, key flowers; also Mary's-keys and keys of heaven. Both the primrose and tulip are believed in South Germany to be an Open Sesame to hidden treasure.

{292} Omar Khayyam, _Rubaiyat_.

{293} _Johnnykin and the Goblins_. London: Macmillan.

{302a} Vide _Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society_, vol. xvi. part 2, 1856 p. 285.

{302b} _Die Zigeuner_.

{307a} _The Dialect of the English Gypsies_.

{307b} I beg the reader to bear it in mind that all this is literally as it was given by an old gypsy, and that I am not responsible for its accuracy or inaccuracy.

{317a} Literally, the earth-sewer.

{317b} _Kali foki_. _Kalo_ means, as in Hindustani, not only black, but also lazy. p.r.o.nounced _kaw-lo_.

{319a} _Gorgio_. Gentile; any man not a gypsy. Possibly from _ghora aji_ "Master white man," Hindu. Used as _goi_ is applied by Hebrews to the unbelievers.

{319b} _Romeli_, _rom'ni_. Wandering, gypsying. It is remarkable that _remna_, in Hindu, means to roam.

{320} _Chollo-tem_. Whole country, world.

{324} There is a great moral difference, not only in the gypsy mind, but in that of the peasant, between stealing and poaching. But in fact, as regards the appropriation of poultry of any kind, a young English gypsy has neither more nor less scruple than other poor people of his cla.s.s.

{325} _Man lana_, Hindostani: to set the heart upon. _Manner_, Eng.

Gyp.: to encourage; also, to forbid.

{327} _Chovihan_, m., _chovihani_, fem., often _cho'ian_ or _cho'ani_, a witch. Probably from the Hindu _'toanee_, a witch, which has nearly the same p.r.o.nunciation as the English gypsy word.

{335} _Travels in Beloochistan and Scinde_, p. 153.

{341a} English gypsies also call the moon _shul_ and _shone_.

{341b} _Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo_, by Dr. Henry Rink. London 1875, p. 236.