Zingaro, n.

zingaro
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zingaro_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2020

# Zingaronoun

## Earlier version

- Zingaro in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Zingaro mean?

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

Zingaro is considered offensive.

### How common is the noun Zingaro?

About 0.02occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 0.04
1760 | 0.035
1770 | 0.033
1780 | 0.031
1790 | 0.036
1800 | 0.041
1810 | 0.054
1820 | 0.062
1830 | 0.069
1840 | 0.077
1850 | 0.081
1860 | 0.075
1870 | 0.07
1880 | 0.06
1890 | 0.053
1900 | 0.049
1910 | 0.04
1920 | 0.035
1930 | 0.029
1940 | 0.024
1950 | 0.022
1960 | 0.019
1970 | 0.018
1980 | 0.018
1990 | 0.019
2000 | 0.02
2010 | 0.02

### How is the noun Zingaro pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪŋɡərəʊ/
ZING-guh-roh

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋ(ɡ)əroʊ/
ZING-guhr-oh

### Where does the noun Zingaro come from?

Earliest known use

early 1600s

The earliest known use of the noun Zingaro is in the early 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zingaro is from 1600, in the writing of Matthew Sutcliffe, dean of Exeter.

Zingaro is a borrowing from Italian.

Etymons: Italian zingaro, zingano.

### Nearby entries

1. zineb, n. 1950–
2. zines, int.?1701–10
3. zinester, n. 1986–
4. zinfandel, n. 1880–
5. zing, v. 1899–
6. zing, int. & n. 1875–
7. zingana, n.¹ 1883
8. zingana, n.² 1911–
9. Zingani, n. 1581–1879
10. Zingara, n. 1756–
11. Zingaro, n.1600–
12. zingel, n. 1803–
13. zingelin perch, n. 1803
14. zinger, n. 1906–
15. Zingg, n. 1941–
16. zingho, n. 1743
17. zingiber, n.?1720–
18. zingiberaceous, adj. 1821–
19. zingily, adv. 1951–
20. zinginess, n. 1938–
21. zinging, n. 1921–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Italian.
Etymons: Italian zingaro, zingano.
< Italian zingaro, †cingaro Romani person (a1484; plural zingari), an alteration (by dissimilation) of †zingano (see Zingani n.).

Compare Zingara n.…
< Italian zingaro, †cingaro Romani person (a1484; plural zingari), an alteration (by dissimilation) of †zingano (see Zingani n.).

Compare Zingara n.

### Notes

Compare post-classical Latin Cingarus, Zingarus (1424 or earlier in a German source). Compare also Middle French cingre, French †zingre, †cingaro, zingaro, †zingar (c1530; plural zingari, zingaros, †zingaris), Spanish cíngaro (1631 or earlier), Portuguese zíngaro (1899), all < Italian.
In the plural form Zingari after the Italian plural form.
The forms Zingaries, Czingaries probably show a double plural.
In the singular form Zingaree (usually with reference to a woman) probably after ‑i, Romani feminine singular ending, reinterpreted as ‑ee suffix1 (compare also ‑ee suffix2).
I Zingari (showing use of the Italian definite article (masculine plural) i: compare present-day standard Italian gli Zingari) is the name of an English amateur cricket club without a home ground, founded in 1845, and of an Australian amateur cricket club founded in 1888, sometimes simply called Zingari.

## Meaning & use

1. 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.
   1. 1600

      > This iugling companion.., who himselfe hath many yeeres wandred vp and downe in foreine lands, like the Egyptians, or Cingari, and hath in his time plaied many tricks of legierdemayne.

      M. Sutcliffe, Briefe Replie to Libel ii. 55
   2. 1775

      > Some of the vagrant people, called Atzincari or Zingari, the Gypsies of the East.

      R. Chandler, Travels in Asia Minor 159
   3. 1823

      > I am a Zingaro, a Bohemian, an Egyptian, or whatever the Europeans..may chuse to call our people.

      W. Scott, Quentin Durward vol. II. vi. 123
   4. 1871

      > The Zingari had built their fires.

      M. Collins, Marquis & Merchant vol. I. vii. 217
   5. 2011

      > At this point in time [sc. 1956], very few Zingari were actually nomadic. In Italy, most lived permanently with their extended family on strips of land allocated by the local comune.

      Res: Anthropol. & Aesthetics No. 59–60. 299/2
   offensive
   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

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪŋɡərəʊ/
ZING-guh-roh

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋ(ɡ)əroʊ/
ZING-guhr-oh

###
Plural: Zingari

### British English

/ˈzɪŋɡəriː/
ZING-guh-ree
/ˈtsɪŋɡəriː/
TSING-guh-ree

### U.S. English

/ˈ(d)zɪŋ(ɡ)əri/
DZING-guhr-ee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Inflections

Plural: Zingari ( British English /ˈzɪŋɡəriː/ (ZING-guh-ree) , /ˈtsɪŋɡəriː/ (TSING-guh-ree) , U.S. English /ˈ(d)zɪŋ(ɡ)əri/ (DZING-guhr-ee) ), Zingaros

### Variant forms

#### 1.

1. 1800s–
   Zingaro
2. 1900s
   Zingaree

#### 2. Plural

1. 1600s
   Cingari, Singari, Zingaries
2. 1600s–
   Zingari
3. 1700s
   Zingars
4. 1800s
   Czingaries
5. 1800s–
   Zingaros

#### 3. Also with lower-case initial.

## Frequency

Zingaro typically occurs about 0.02 times per million words in modern written English.

Zingaro is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of Zingaro, n., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 0.04
1760 | 0.035
1770 | 0.033
1780 | 0.031
1790 | 0.036
1800 | 0.041
1810 | 0.054
1820 | 0.062
1830 | 0.069
1840 | 0.077
1850 | 0.081
1860 | 0.075
1870 | 0.07
1880 | 0.06
1890 | 0.053
1900 | 0.049
1910 | 0.04
1920 | 0.035
1930 | 0.029
1940 | 0.024
1950 | 0.022
1960 | 0.019
1970 | 0.018
1980 | 0.018
1990 | 0.019
2000 | 0.02
2010 | 0.02

Zingaro, n. was revised in September 2020.

Zingaro, n. was last modified in September 2024.