Zincalo, n.

zincalo
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zincalo_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2020

# Zincalonoun

## Earlier version

- Zincalo in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Zincalo mean?

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

### How common is the noun Zincalo?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1840 | 0.057
1850 | 0.053
1860 | 0.049
1870 | 0.048
1880 | 0.043
1890 | 0.038
1900 | 0.027
1910 | 0.025
1920 | 0.022
1930 | 0.019
1940 | 0.014
1950 | 0.0095
1960 | 0.0079
1970 | 0.0069
1980 | 0.007
1990 | 0.006
2000 | 0.0058
2010 | 0.0053

### How is the noun Zincalo pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪŋkələʊ/
ZING-kuh-loh

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋkəloʊ/
ZING-kuh-loh

### Where does the noun Zincalo come from?

Earliest known use

1840s

The earliest known use of the noun Zincalo is in the 1840s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zincalo is from 1841, in the writing of George Borrow, writer and traveller.

Zincalo is of multiple origins. Either (i) a borrowing from Spanish Romani. Or (ii) a borrowing from Spanish.

Etymons: Spanish Romani zincalo; Spanish zingalo.

### Nearby entries

1. Zimbabwe, n. 1891–
2. Zimbabwean, adj. & n. 1961–
3. zimbel, n. 1888–
4. zimme, n. 1848–63
5. Zimmer, n. 1951–
6. zina, n. 1817–
7. zinc, n. 1651–
8. zinc, v. 1843–
9. zinc-air, adj. 1970–
10. Zincala, n. 1844–91
11. Zincalo, n.1841–
12. zinc-alum, n. 1851–
13. zinc-amide, n. 1859–
14. zincate, n. 1872–
15. zinc-blende, n. 1842–
16. zinc-bloom, n. 1842–
17. zinc chloride, n. 1851–
18. zinc chromate, n. 1851–
19. zinc chrome, n. 1892–
20. zinc-dust, n. 1877–
21. zinc finger, n. 1987–

## Etymology

### Summary

Either (i) a borrowing from Spanish Romani. Or (ii) a borrowing from Spanish.
Etymons: Spanish Romani zincalo; Spanish zingalo.
Either (i) < Spanish Romani zincalo Romani person (1841 in Borrow's glossary: see below; plural zincale),

or (ii) < its etymon Spanish †cingalo, †zingalo (1631 or earlier; plural cingalos) < Italian †…
Either (i) < Spanish Romani zincalo Romani person (1841 in Borrow's glossary: see below; plural zincale),

or (ii) < its etymon Spanish †cingalo, †zingalo (1631 or earlier; plural cingalos) < Italian †cingalo, †zingalo (1534, plural cingali), an alteration of either †cingano, †zingano Zingani n. or †cingaro, zingaro Zingaro n.

Compare Zincala n.

### Notes

The word is apparently not attested in Spanish Romani before Borrow, and is usually mentioned later in connection with Borrow's works.
Compare Middle French cingle Romani person (1556; < Italian) and post-classical Latin Zingalus (1557 or earlier in an Italian source, 1629 or earlier in a Spanish source).
In plural form Zincali apparently after Spanish Romani zincali (feminine noun) Romani people, Romani language, with reinterpretation of the collective noun as a plural (apparently after ‑i, masculine plural ending in Italian and Latin); compare gitano n.

## Meaning & use

Now historical and rare.

1. 1841–
   A Spanish Romani person (esp. a man or boy). Often in plural. Cf. gitano n., Zincala n.
   1. 1841

      > There was a time when the house of every Zincalo, however rich, was open to his brother, though he came to him naked.

      G. Borrow, Zincali vol. I. ii. i. 234
   2. 1868

      > Before you dreamed You were a born Zincala—in the bonds Of the Zincali's faith.

      ‘G. Eliot’, Spanish Gypsy i. 137
   3. 1891

      > Miss Kennedy now informed us that on her mother's side she is one of that race..known as the Zincali or Spanish Gipsies.

      Licensed Victuallers' Mirror 7 April 157
   4. 2011

      > Eliot also read and likely took notes on a number of works on the Zincali, the Gypsies of Spain.

      Princeton University Library Chron. vol. 72 474
   historical
   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

/ˈzɪŋkələʊ/
ZING-kuh-loh

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋkəloʊ/
ZING-kuh-loh

####

##### 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: Zincali, Zincalos

## Frequency

Zincalo typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

Zincalo is in frequency band 2, which contains words occurring between 0.001 and 0.01 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 Zincalo, n., 1840–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1840 | 0.057
1850 | 0.053
1860 | 0.049
1870 | 0.048
1880 | 0.043
1890 | 0.038
1900 | 0.027
1910 | 0.025
1920 | 0.022
1930 | 0.019
1940 | 0.014
1950 | 0.0095
1960 | 0.0079
1970 | 0.0069
1980 | 0.007
1990 | 0.006
2000 | 0.0058
2010 | 0.0053

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. Zincala, n. 1844–91
   A Romani woman or girl from Spain. Cf. gitana…

Zincalo, n. was revised in September 2020.

Zincalo, n. was last modified in September 2024.