Someone else already said this, I think, but "gyp" is weird in 21st c. America, because it's not like there are gypsies around much. Black people? White people? Jews? Pretty much right there. (OK, not in everyone's neighborhood, but clearly on everyone's tv, at least.)

Gypsies would have to be a wee bit more extinct (like, at all) for me to feel comfortable with the term "gyp."

Just because they aren't in the room, it doesn't make me feel any better. However, I can totally see how people might never have made the extrapolation.

I learnt "jew" as a verb because my mother very very apologetically played it in Scrabble. She'd never apologised before (or since) for any world played. 8+1+4 is evidently her price.

On a completely different subject. I love The Scholar and Hell's Kitchen. I told Mr. H about Ramsey telling off one of the diners one night and he just laughed and laughed.

Diner: We've been waiting over half an hour for our food.
Ramsey: I'm sorry, you can see what's going on back here. (Kitchen staff contestants are loosing it; kitchen is in disarray)
Diner: It looks like your kitchen is falling apart.
Ramsey: Yes things are a bit crazy right now. We'll-
Diner: Well that doesn't really do anything for me.
Ramsey: I understand the feeling. You do nothing for me either.
Diner: excuse me?
Ramsey: I. Said. You. Do. Fuck. All. For. Me.

I knew there was something I meant to watch tonight.

I have to be in Manhattan tomorrow for appointments starting at 9:30. That means I'll be dealing with a rush-hour commute in for the first tim ein a year and a half.

They just showed someone's iliac crest on The 4400. Why do iliac crests make me giggle like a schoolgirl?

However, I can totally see how people might never have made the extrapolation.

That's more along the lines of what I meant. I was so sheltered as a kid, the first time I heard "gyp" I thought it was about Egyptians, and was mystified. Also I thought "JAP" was about Japanese people.

ita, a word of advice. Don't giggle like a schoolgirl when a boy is undressing in front of you, despite the iliac crest. bad form.

Someone else already said this, I think, but "gyp" is weird in 21st c. America, because it's not like there are gypsies around much. Black people? White people? Jews? Pretty much right there. (OK, not in everyone's neighborhood, but clearly on everyone's tv, at least.)

Gypsies would have to be a wee bit more extinct (like, at all) for me to feel comfortable with the term "gyp."

Yeah. But welsh is one of those where I think the usage has long outlived the stereotype. (eta - at least I think so, but I'm not Welsh so maybe it just doesn't ping?)

My assistant is from Boston, and he calls a convenience store a "pakkie", which skeeves the hell out of me. But he doesn't at all get why it hits me wrong. And in this case, it's coincidental, not something with a negative history that some people don't see - at least I'm pretty sure that's the case. But it makes me cringe every time he says it.

Don't giggle like a schoolgirl when a boy is undressing in front of you, despite the iliac crest

I might giggle way before we get that far. It's ... sad.

But welsh is one of those where I think the usage has long outlived the stereotype.

Except, I wonder, if you're Welsh.