գնչու

Armenian

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

Noun

գնչու (gnčʿu)

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

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 (gnčʿem) + -ու (-u).

Adjective

գնչու (gnčʿu)

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

Declension

Descendants

References

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