Cigán

See also: cigán and cigan

Slovak

Etymology

Possibly from an Ancient Greek term meaning "untouchable"; compare the modern Greek designations Τσιγγάνοι (Tsingánoi), Αθίγγανοι (Athínganoi).[1][2][3] Cognates include Hungarian cigány, English tzigane, Italian zigano, Portuguese cigano, Polish Cygan, Russian цыган (cygan), German Zigeuner, and Spanish cíngaro.

Noun

Cigán m anim

  1. a Gypsy, a Romani
    Synonym: Rom

Usage notes
  • The term Cigán/cigán is often intentionally derogatory and is therefore considered racist by some. Consequently, careful speakers use the term Rom instead. Cigán is still the prevailing term in informal Slovak and in historical usage, however.

Synonyms

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
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