գնչու

Armenian

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Old Armenian գնչու (gnčʻu, stammering, stuttering; lisping, speaking with imperfect articulation). For the sense development compare Russian не́мец (némec, German) and немо́й (nemój).

Pronunciation

Noun

գնչու • (gnčʻu)

  1. Gypsy (a member of the Romani people)
    Synonym: (colloquial) ցիգան (cʻigan)

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".[1]

Declension

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 (gnčʻem) + -ու (-u).

Adjective

գնչու • (gnčʻu)

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

Declension

Descendants

  • Armenian: գնչու (gnčʻu)

References

  • Awetikʻean, G., Siwrmēlean, X., Awgerean, M. (1836–1837) “գնչու”, in Nor baṙgirkʻ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
  • Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1971–1979) “գնչել”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, Yerevan: University Press
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