Zingani, n.

zingani
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zingani_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2020

# † Zinganinoun

## Earlier version

- Zingano in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Zingani mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun Zingani. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1870s.

### Where does the noun Zingani come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun Zingani is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zingani is from 1581, in a translation by George Pettie, writer of romances.

Zingani is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Turkish, combined with an English element. Partly a borrowing from Italian.

Etymons: French cinganes, cingane; Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, English ‑s; Italian zingani, zingano.

### Nearby entries

1. Zindiq, n. 1667–
2. zine, n. 1946–
3. zineb, n. 1950–
4. zines, int.?1701–10
5. zinester, n. 1986–
6. zinfandel, n. 1880–
7. zing, v. 1899–
8. zing, int. & n. 1875–
9. zingana, n.¹ 1883
10. zingana, n.² 1911–
11. Zingani, n.1581–1879
12. Zingara, n. 1756–
13. Zingaro, n. 1600–
14. zingel, n. 1803–
15. zingelin perch, n. 1803
16. zinger, n. 1906–
17. Zingg, n. 1941–
18. zingho, n. 1743
19. zingiber, n.?1720–
20. zingiberaceous, adj. 1821–
21. zingily, adv. 1951–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Turkish, combined with an English element. Partly a borrowing from Italian.
Etymons: French cinganes, cingane; Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, English ‑s; Italian zingani, zingano.
In α forms < Middle French singuanes (1553, plural), cinganes (c1579, plural (singular cingane); in French also as †zingane (1637)), probably < Italian (see below).

In β forms < Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, Çingān, Çingene…
In α forms < Middle French singuanes (1553, plural), cinganes (c1579, plural (singular cingane); in French also as †zingane (1637)), probably < Italian (see below).

In β forms < Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, Çingān, Çingene, Çingen (1525; Turkish Çingene, (regional) Çingan (plural Çingeneler); < medieval Greek: see below) + English ‑s, plural ending.

In γ forms < Italian †zingani, plural of †zingano (a1470), probably < medieval Greek τσίγγανος (see Tzigane n.).

Compare zingana n.1

### Notes

Compare early modern German Zingyner (1514; compare Zigeuner n.), Spanish cingano (1631 or earlier), both probably < Italian.
In the β forms with initial z- perhaps partly showing alteration after Italian zingano. With the form Zinganaes perhaps compare Italian zingana (see zingana n.1).

## Meaning & use

Obsolete.

1. 1581–1879
   With plural agreement. The Romani people; Gypsies collectively. Cf. zingana n.1, Zingaro n.
   1. 1581

      > Your meaning is..that as it is lawefull onely for the Cinganes [French Cingeurs] to robbe, so these also haue priuiledge to play in open streete.

      G. Pettie, translation of S. Guazzo, Ciuile Conuersation i. 26
   2. 1684

      > There are thousands of Gypsies or Zinganies in Turkey.

      T. Smith in Philosophical Transactions (Royal Society) vol. 14 446
   3. a1733

      > A gang of Zingans, or gypses.

      E. Chishull, Travels in Turkey (1747) 93
   4. 1838

      > They were very sweet nondescripts, but not very perfect beggars; and far, far indeed from perfect Zinganies.

      W. Howitt, Rural Life of England vol. I. iii. i. 249
   5. 1879

      > The number of pulse-beats per minute varies within wide limits: the Congo Negroes (62), and next to them the Hottentots and Rumanians (64), have the slowest pulses. Then follow the Zingani (69), Magyars and Caffres (70).

      London Medical Record 15 May 210/1
   1. gyptian 1533–1874
      A member of a widely dispersed, traditionally itinerant people originating in South Asia and now found mainly in Europe and North and South…
   2. Egyptian 1538–
      = Gypsy, n. & adj.
   3. Bohemian 1574–
      A Gypsy, a member of the Romani people. Now rare (chiefly historical).
   4. Gypsy 1574–
      Usually with capital initial. A member of a widely dispersed, traditionally itinerant people originating in South Asia and now found mainly in… Now sometimes considered derogatory or offensive, the term Gypsy has been steadily replaced in official contexts by Romani or (in plural) Roma. Nevertheless, Gypsy remains the most widely used term for this group among English-speakers. It is also sometimes used to refer to or include Travellers (see traveller, n. 2b.i), whose way of life is similar in certain respects. However, this usage is generally deprecated by members of both communities.
   5. tinker 1575–
      British and Irish English. Chiefly derogatory. Any itinerant trader, performer, or beggar; spec. (esp. Scottish and Irish English) a Traveller…
   6. Zingani 1581–1879
      With plural agreement. The Romani people; Gypsies collectively. Cf. zingana, n.¹, Zingaro, n.
   7. Zingaro 1600–
      A member of the Romani people, a Gypsy; (in later use) esp. one from Italy. Cf. Zingara, n., Zingani, n. Now rare and sometimes considered offensive.
   8. moonman 1608–
      cant. A Gypsy. Now historical.
   9. faw 1756–
      A Gypsy, Traveller, or other person with an itinerant way of life.
   10. vagabond 1756–
       A nomad. rare.
   11. Zingara 1756–
       A Romani woman or girl. Cf. Zingaro, n., zingana, n.¹
   12. gitano 1761–
       A Romani man or boy from Spain (esp. Andalusia); a male Spanish Gypsy. Cf. gitana, n.
   13. gitana c1770–
       A Romani woman or girl from Spain (esp. Andalusia); a female Spanish Gypsy. Cf. gitano, n.
   14. Roman 1800–
       = Rom, n.²
   15. Romani 1800–
       A member of a widely dispersed ethnic group, found mainly in Europe and North and South America, tracing its origins to South Asia; = Rom, n.² Cf…
   16. Tzigane 1802–
       A member of the Romani people; a Gypsy, esp. one from central or eastern Europe, particularly Hungary. Now often considered offensive.
   17. Zigeuner 1802–
       Esp. in German-speaking countries or in Hungary: a member of the Romani people, a Gypsy. Now rare and often considered offensive.
   18. Sinti 1827–
       A Romani people of central and eastern Europe. Also occasionally as a count noun: a member of this people.
   19. piker 1838–
       Chiefly English regional. derogatory. (A term of abuse for) a vagrant, tramp, or good-for-nothing; = pikey, n. & adj.¹
   20. pikey 1838–
       Chiefly English regional (south-eastern) slang. derogatory. Now considered offensive. A traveller or Gypsy; a vagrant, a tramp; (hence more generally) a lower-class person, regarded as coarse or disreputable.
   21. Rom 1841–
       A member of a widely dispersed ethnic group, found mainly in Europe and North and South America, tracing its origins to South Asia and speaking a…
   22. Zincalo 1841–
       A Spanish Romani person (esp. a man or boy). Often in plural. Cf. gitano, n., Zincala, n.
   23. Romanichal 1843–
       A member of a widely dispersed ethnic group, found mainly in Europe and North and South America, tracing its origins to South Asia; = Romani, n. A.1.
   24. Zincala 1844–91
       A Romani woman or girl from Spain. Cf. gitana, n., Zincalo, n.
   25. Zigeunerin 1845–83
       In German or German-speaking contexts: a Romani woman or girl.
   26. nomadian 1847
       A nomad.
   27. Romanichal 1851–
       spec. (usually in form Romany chal). A Romani boy or man. Cf. Romany chai, n. Now rare.
   28. Romany chai 1851–
       A Romani girl or woman. Cf. Romanichal, n. A.2.
   29. didicoi 1853–
       British (colloquial and regional). Now usually derogatory and offensive. A Gypsy, a member of the Romani people; (also) a member of any traditionally itinerant community; a Traveller. Sometimes (chiefly in Romani usage)…
   30. Bedouin 1863–
       transferred. One who leads a Bedouin-like life elsewhere; a wanderer, an itinerant. (Cf. city Arab, n.)
   31. gyppo 1868–
       Chiefly British. A member of the Romani people; a Gypsy. Now also in extended use: a poor or ill-kempt person. Now offensive and derogatory.
   32. zingana 1883
       A Romani woman or girl. Cf. Zingani, n., Zingara, n.
   33. gyp 1886–
       colloquial (sometimes considered offensive). A Gypsy; a member of the Romani people.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Forms

### Variant forms

##### α.

1. 1500s
   Cinganes

##### β.

1. 1600s
   Zinganaes
2. 1600s; 1800s
   Zinganies
3. 1700s
   Zingans
4. 1800s
   Chinganes, Chinganies, Chinganis, Jinganis

##### γ.

1. 1800s
   Zingani

Zingani, n. was revised in September 2020.

Zingani, n. was last modified in September 2024.