More of an oxymoron

Posted by Alex on November 05, 2001

In Reply to: Gypsy's warning posted by ESC on November 04, 2001

: : : : What is meant by the phrase "gypsy's warning"?

: : : The only gypsy warning that I'm familiar with is the one in "The Wolf Man," a 1941 movie. See rhs.jack.k12.wv.us/classic/feature/wolfman/wolfsb1.htm

: : gypsy's/gipsy's warning n.1 [mid-19C+] no warning at all. [neg. stereotyping]
: : gypsy's/gipsy's warning n.2 [mid-19C+] morning. [Rhy. sl.]
: : From Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Jonathon Green

: So, "gypsy's warning" is an ethnic slur along the lines of "Mexican standoff" and "Dutch treat." (Search archives under "standoff" and "treat.")

"Ethnic slur" sounds so harsh... and they are oxymorons,
most obvious examples - Dutch Courage, Military Intelligence,
modern parallels - perhaps the warnings phoned in by terrorists 3 minutes before an attack.

• It is a slur! Bruce Kahl 11/05/01
  • Would you take advice from a gypsy? Alex 11/05/01
    • A Rose by any other...... Bruce Kahl 11/05/01
      • Oxyslurs/ethnomorons R. Berg 11/05/01
        • You're raping the language Alex 11/06/01
          • You're raping the language ESC 11/06/01
            • You're raping the language Bob 11/06/01
              • Language R. Berg 11/06/01
                • Gypsy Warning Jim 11/09/01