E
Eange, s. Itch.
Ebyok, s. The sea. Sans. Aapa (water). Wal. Ape.
Eft, a. Seven. Few of the English Gypsies are acquainted with this word; consequently, the generality, when they wish to express the number seven, without being understood by the Gorgios or Gentiles, say Dui trins ta yeck, two threes and one.
En. A kind of genitive particle used in compound words, being placed between a noun and the particle ‘gro’ or ‘guero,’ which signifies a possessor, or that which governs a thing or has to do with it: e.g. lav-en-gro, a linguist or man of words, lit. word-of-fellow; wesh-en-gro, a forester, or one who governs the wood; gurush-en-gre, things costing a groat, lit. groat-of-things.
Engri. A neuter affix, composed of the particles ‘en’ and ‘gro,’ much used in the formation of figurative terms for things for which there are no positive names in English Gypsy: for example, yag-engri, a fire-thing, which denotes a gun; poggra-mengri, a breaking-thing or mill; ‘engri’ is changed into ‘mengri’ when the preceding word terminates in a vowel.
Engro. A masculine affix, used in the formation of figurative names; for example, kaun-engro, an ear-fellow, or creature with ears, serving to denote a hare; ruk-engro, or ruko-mengro, a tree-fellow, denoting a squirrel; it is also occasionally used in names for inanimate objects, as pov-engro, an earth-thing or potato. See Guero.
Escunyo, s. A wooden skewer, a pin. Span. Gyp. Chingabar (a pin).
Escunyes, pl. Skewers.
Escunye-mengro, s. A maker of skewers.
Eskoe, fem. Eskie. A particle which affixed to a noun turns it into an adjective: e.g. Duvel, God; duveleskoe, divine. It seems to be derived from the Wal. Esk, Easkie.
Eskey. An affix or postposition, signifying, for the sake of: e.g. Mi-dubble-eskey, for God’s sake.
Ever-komi, ad. Evermore.
F
Fake, v. a. To work, in a dishonest sense; to steal, pick pockets.
Fakement, s. A robbery, any kind of work: a pretty fakement that, a pretty piece of work. A scoundrel—you ratfelo fakement, you precious scoundrel; a man of any kind—he’s no bad fakement after all; a girl, St. Paul’s Cathedral—what a rinkeny fakement, what a pretty girl, what a noble church.
Fashono, a. False, fashioned, made up. Wal. Fatche (to make); fatze (face, surface).
Fashono wangustis. Pretended gold rings, made in reality of brass or copper.
Fashono wangust engre. Makers of false rings.
Fenella. A female Gypsy name.
Ferreder, a. Better, more. Gaelic, Feairde.
Fetér, ad. Better. Pers. بهتر Span. Gyp. Fetér.
Figis, s. Fig.
Figis-rookh, s. Fig-tree.
Filisen, s. Country-seat.
Fino, a. Fine. This word is not pure Gypsy: fino covar, a fine thing.
Floure, s. Flower; a female Gypsy name.
Fordel, v. a. Forgive; generally used for Artav, or Artavello, q.v., and composed of the English ‘for’ and the Gypsy ‘del.’
Fordias / Fordios, part. pass. Forgiven.
Foros, s. City. See Vauros.
Ful, s. Dung: ful-vardo, muck cart.
Fuzyanri, s. Fern. Hun. Füz (willow), fácska (a shrub), füszár (a stem).
G
Gad, s. A shirt: pauno gad, a clean shirt.
Gare, v. n., v. a. To take care, beware; to hide, conceal. Sans. Ghar, to cover.
Garridan. You hid: luvvu sor garridan, the money which you hid.
Garrivava, v. a. I hide or shall hide, take care: to gare his nangipen, to hide his nakedness.
Gav, s. A town, village. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced]
Gav-engro, s. A constable, village officer, beadle, citizen.
Gillie, s. A song. Sans. Khëli.
Gillies. Songs. Sometimes used to denote newspapers; because these last serve, as songs did in the old time, to give the world information of remarkable events, such as battles, murders, and robberies.
Gilyava. I sing, or shall sing. Hin. Guywuya. Mod. Gr. κοιλαδῶ.
Gin, v. a. To count, reckon. Sans. Gan. Hin. Ginna.
Ginnipen, s. A reckoning.
Giv, s. Wheat. Sans. Yava (barley). See Jobis.
Giv-engro, s. Wheat-fellow, figurative name for farmer.
Giv-engro ker, s. Farmhouse.
Giv-engro puv, s. Farm.
Godli, s. A warrant, perhaps hue and cry. See Gudlie. Span. Gyp. Gola (order).
Gono, s. A sack. Hin. Gon.
Gorgio, s. A Gentile, a person who is not a Gypsy; one who lives in a house and not in a tent. It is a modification of the Persian word [Persian which cannot be reproduced] Cojia, which signifies a gentleman, a doctor, a merchant, etc. Span. Gyp. Gacho.
Gorgiken rat. Of Gentile blood.
Gorgie, s. A female Gentile or Englishwoman.
Gorgikonaes, ad. After the manner of the Gentiles.
Gooee, s. Pudding. See Guyi.
Gran, s. A barn: I sov’d yeck rarde drey a gran, I slept one night within a barn (Gypsy song).
Gran-wuddur, s. A barn door.
Gran-wuddur-chiriclo. Barn-door fowl.
Grasni / Grasnakkur, s. Mare, outrageous woman: what a grasni shan tu, what a mare you are! Grasnakkur is sometimes applied to the mayor of a town.
Grestur / Gristur, s. A horse. Span. Gyp. Gras, graste.
Gry, s. A horse. Sans. Kharu. Hin. Ghora. Irish and Scottish Gaelic, Greadh.
Gry-choring, s. Horse-stealing.
Gry-engro, s. Horse-dealer.
Gry-nashing. Horse-racing.
Gudlee / Godli, s. Cry, noise, shout. Hin. Ghooloo. Irish, Gúl. Rus. Gyl=gool (shout); Gólos (voice).
Grommena / Grovena / Grubbena, s. and v. Thunder, to thunder. Sans. Garjana. Rus. Groin (thunder). Heb. Ream, raemah. Gaelic, Gairm (a cry).
Gudlo, a., s. Sweet; honey, sugar.
Gudlo-pishen, s. Honey-insect, bee. See Bata.
Gué. An affix, by which the dative case is formed: e.g. Man, I; mangué, to me.
Guero, s. A person, fellow, that which governs, operates. Sans. Kãra (a maker). Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced] Welsh, Gwr (a man). In the Spanish cant language, Guro signifies an alguazil, a kind of civil officer. See Engro.
Gueri, s.f. Female person, virgin: Mideveleskey gueri Mary, Holy Virgin Mary.
Gush / Gurush / Gurushi, a. Groat: gurushengri, a groat’s worth.
Guveni, s. Cow. Sans. Go.
Guveni-bugnior, s. Cow-pox.
Guveno, s. A bull. Sans. Gavaya. Gaelic, Gavuin, gowain (year-old calf).
Guyi, s. Pudding, black pudding. Hin. Gulgul. Span. Gyp. Golli.
Guyi-mengreskie tan, s. Yorkshire. Lit. pudding-eaters’ country; in allusion to the puddings for which Yorkshire is celebrated.
H
Ha / Haw, v. a. To eat.
Habben, s. Food, victuals.
Hal, v. a. To eat: mande can’t hal lis, I can’t eat it. Sans. Gala.
Hanlo, s. A landlord, innkeeper. Span. Gyp. Anglanó.
Hatch, v. a. To burn, light a fire.
Hatchipen, s. A burning.
Hatch, v. n. To stay, stop. See Adje, atch, az.
Hatchi-witchu, s. A hedgehog. This is a compound word from the Wal. Aritche, a hedgehog, and the Persian Besha, a wood, and signifies properly the prickly thing of the wood. In Spanish Gypsy, one of the words for a pig or hog is Eriche, evidently the Wallachian Aritche, a hedgehog.
Hekta, s. Haste: kair hekta, make haste; likewise a leap. See Hokta. Sans. Hat’ha (to leap).
Heres / Heris, s. pl. Legs. Span. Gyp. Jerias. Coshtni herri (a wooden leg).
Hetavava, v. a. To slay, beat, hit, carry off, plunder: if I can lel bonnek of tute hetavava tute, if I can lay hold of you I will slay you. Heb. Khataf (rapuit). Sans. Hat’ha (to ill-use, rapere).
Hev, s. Hole: pawnugo hev, a water hole, a well; hev, a window; hevior, windows. Sans. Avata.
Heviskey, a. Full of holes: heviskey tan, a place full of holes.
Hin, s. Dirt, ordure. Mod. Gr. χυτὸν. Wal. Gounoiou. Irish, Gaineamh (sand).
Hin, v. a. To void ordure. Sans. Hanna. Mod. Gr. χύνω.
Hindity-mengré / Hindity-mescré, s. pl. Irish. Dirty, sordid fellows.
Hoffeno, s. A liar.
Hok-hornie-mush, s. A policeman. Partly a cant word.
Hokka, v. n. To lie, tell a falsehood: hokka tute mande, if you tell me a falsehood.
Hokkano, s. A lie. Sans. Kuhanã (hypocrisy).
Hokta, v. a. To leap, jump. See Hekta.
Hokta-mengro, s. Leaper, jumper.
Hoofa, s. A cap.
Hor / Horo, s. A penny. Span. Gyp. Corio an ochavo (or farthing).
Horry, s. pl. Pence: shohorry, showhawry, sixpence.
Horsworth, s. Pennyworth.
Horkipen, s. Copper. Hun. Gyp. Harko.
Huffeno, s. A liar. See Hoffeno.
Hukni, s. Ringing the changes, the fraudulent changing of one thing for another.
I
I, pro. She, it.
I. A feminine and neuter termination: e.g. Yag engri, a fire-thing or gun; coin si, who is she? so si, what is it?
Inna / Inner, prep. In, within: inner Lundra, in London. Span. Gyp. Enré.
Iouzia, s. A flower.
Is, conj. If; it is affixed to the verb—e.g. Dikiomis, if I had seen.
Iv, s. Snow. Hun. Gyp. Yiv. Span. Gyp. Give.
Iv-engri / Ivi-mengri, s. Snow-thing, snowball.
Iuziou, a. Clean. Mod. Gr. ὑγιὴς (sound, healthy). See Roujio.
J
Jal. To go, walk, journey. This verb is allied to various words in different languages signifying movement, course or journey:—to the Sanscrit Il, ila, to go; to the Russian Gulliat, to stroll, to walk about; to the Turkish Iel, a journey; to the Jol of the Norse, and the Yule of the Anglo-Saxons, terms applied to Christmas-tide, but which properly mean the circular journey which the sun has completed at that season: for what are Jol and Yule but the Ygul of the Hebrews? who call the zodiac ‘Ygul ha mazaluth,’ or the circle of the signs. It is, moreover, related to the German Jahr and the English Year, radically the same words as Jol, Yule, and Ygul, and of the same meaning—namely, the circle travelled by the sun through the signs.
Já, v. imp. Go thou!
Jal amande. I shall go.
Jal te booty. Go to work.
Jalno / Java / Jaw, v.a. I go. Sans. Chara.
Jas, jasa. Thou goest: tute is jasing, thou art going.
Jal, 3rd pers. pres. He goes.
Jalla, f. She goes.
Jalno ando pawni, v. a. I swim. Lit. I go in water.
Jaw, ad. So: jaw si, so it is. See Ajaw, asá, ashá.
Jib, s. Tongue. Sans. Jihva.
Jib, v. n. To live, to exist. Sans. Jiv. Rus. Jit. Lithuanian, Gywenu.
Jibben, s. Life, livelihood. Sans. Jivata (life), Jivika (livelihood). Rus. Jivot, Tchivot.
Jivvel, v. n. He lives: kai jivvel o, where does he live?
Jin / Jinava, v. n. To know. Sans. Jna.
Jinnepen, s. Wisdom, knowledge. Sans. Jnapti (understanding).
Jinney-mengro, s. A knowing fellow, a deep card, a Grecian, a wise man, a philosopher.
Jinney-mengreskey rokrapénes. Sayings of the wise: the tatcho drom to be a jinney-mengro is to dick and rig in zi, the true way to be a wise man is to see and bear in mind.
Jongar, v. n. To awake. Sans. Jagri. Hin. Jugana.
Jôbis, s. Oats. Sans. Java (barley). Wal. Obia. See Giv.
Joddakaye, s. Apron; anything tied round the middle or hips. Sans. Kata (the hip, the loins), Kataka (a girdle).
Ju, s. A louse. Sans. Yuka.
Juvior, s. pl. Lice.
Juggal / Jukkal, s. Dog. Sans. Srigãla (jackal).
Jukkalor. Dogs.
Jukkaelsti cosht, s. Dog-wood; a hard wood used for making skewers.
Juva / Juvali, Woman, wife.
Juvli, s. Girl. See Chavali.
K
Kael, s. Cheese.
Kaes, s. Cheese.
Kah / Kai, ad. Where: kai tiro ker, where’s your house? kai si the churi, where is the knife? Sans. Kva.
Kair, v. a. To do. Sans. Kri, to do; kara (doing).
Kair misto. To make well, cure, comfort.
Kairipen, s. Work, labour. Sans. Karman.
Kakkaratchi, s. Magpie; properly a raven. Mod. Gr. κορακαζ.
Kanau / Knau, ad. Now.
Karring. Crying out, hawking goods. Span. Gyp. Acarar (to call). See Koring.
Kaulo, a. Black. Sans. Kãla. Arab. [Arabic which cannot be reproduced]
Kaulo chiriclo, s. A blackbird.
Kaulo cori, s. A blackthorn.
Kaulo durril, s. Blackberry.
Kaulo Gav, s. Black-town, Birmingham.
Kaulo guero, s. A black, negro.
Kaulo guereskey tem, s. Negroland, Africa.
Kaulo-mengro, s. A blacksmith.
Kaulo ratti. Black blood, Gypsy blood: kaulo ratti adrey leste, he has Gypsy blood in his veins.
Kaun, s. An ear. Sans. Karna.
Kaun-engro, s. An ear-fellow, thing with long ears; a figurative name for a hare.
Ke, prep. Unto. Likewise a postposition—e.g. lenké, to them.
Keir / Ker, s. A house. Sans. Griha.
Ker / Kerey / Ken, ad. Home, homeward: java keri, I will go home.
Keir-poggring. House-breaking.
Keir-rakli, s. A housemaid.
Kek, ad. a. No, none, not: kek tatcho, it is not true.
Kekkeno, a. None, not any: kekkeni pawni, no water.
Kekkeno mushe’s poov, s. No man’s land; a common.
Kekkauvi, s.f. Kettle. Mod. Gr. κακκάβη.
Kekkauviskey saster, s. Kettle-iron; the hook by which the kettle is suspended over the fire.
Kekko, ad. No, it is not, not it, not he.
Kekkomi. No more. See Komi, Ever-komi.
Kek-cushti. Of no use; no good. See Koshto.
Kem, s. The sun. See Cam.
Ken. A particle affixed in English Gypsy to the name of a place terminating in a vowel, in order to form a genitive; e.g. Eliken bori congri, the great church of Ely. See En.
Ken, s. A house, properly a nest. Heb. [Hebrew which cannot be reproduced] Kin.
Kenyor, s. pl. Ears. See Kaun.
Ker / Kerava v. a. To do; make: kair yag, make a fire. Sans. Kri. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced] Gaelic, Ceaird (a trade), ceard (a tinker). Lat. Cerdo (a smith). English, Char, chare (to work by the day).
Kerdo. He did.
Kedast, 2nd pers. pret. Thou didst.
Kedo, part. pass. Done.
Kerri-mengro, s. Workman.
Kerrimus, s. Doing, deed: mi-Doovel’s kerrimus, the Lord’s doing. Sans. Karman (work).
Kerrit, p. pass. Cooked, boiled. Anglo-Indian word, Curried. Fr. Cuire. Gaelic, Greidh (to cook victuals).
Kettaney, ad. Together. Wal. Ketziba (many). See Kisi.
Kidda, v. a. To pluck.
Kil, v. a. To dance, play. Hin. Kelná. Sans. Kshvel.
Killi-mengro, s. A dancer, player.
Kil, s. Butter.
Kin, v. a. To buy: kinning and bikkning, buying and selling. Heb. Kana (he bought).
Kin aley. To ransom, redeem, buy off.
Kinnipen, s. A purchase.
Kinnipen-divvus, s. Purchasing-day, Saturday.
Kindo, a. Wet.
Kipsi, s. Basket. Span. Gyp. Quicia.
Kinyo. Tired. Span. Gyp. Quiñao.
Kisaiya. A female Gypsy name.
Kisi, ad. How much, to what degree: kisi puro shan tu, how old are you? Wal. Kitze. Span. Gyp. Quichi. Sans. Kati (how many?)
Kisseh / Kissi, s. A purse. Sans. Kosa. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced]
Kistur, v. a. To ride. Wal. Keleri.
Kistri-mengro / Kistro-mengro, s. Rider, horseman.
Kitchema, s. Public-house, inn. Hun. Korcsma. Wal. Keirtchumie.
Kitchema-mengro, s. Innkeeper.
Klism / Klisn, s. A key. Rus. Cliotche. Mod. Gr. κλείσμα (shutting up).
Klism-engri, s. A lock. Lit. key-thing.
Klism-hev, s. A keyhole.
Klop, s. A gate, seemingly a cant word; perhaps a bell. Wal. Klopot.
Kokkodus. Uncle: kokkodus Artáros, Uncle Arthur.
Komi, adv. More: ever-komi, evermore.
Koosho, a. Good: kooshi gillie, a good song. Sans. Kusala.
Kora / Kore, v. a. To riot. Wal. Kiorei (to cry out, bawl, make a tumult). Heb. Kara (he convoked, cried out).
Koring, part. pres. Rioting. Heb. Kirivah (proclamation).
Kora-mengro, s. A rioter.
Kore, v. a. To hawk goods about, to cry out, to proclaim.
Koring lil, s. Hawking-licence.
Koring chiriclo, s. The cuckoo.
Koshto, a. Good. Pers. خوب
Koshtipen, s. Goodness, advantage, profit: kek koshtipen in dukkering knau, it is of no use to tell fortunes now.
Kosko, a. Good.
Koskipen, s. Goodness.
Krallis, s. King. Rus. Korol. Hun. Király. Wal. Kraiu.
Kushto, a. Good: kushto si for mangui, I am content.
L
La, pro. pers. Her; accusative of ‘i’ or ‘ yoi,’ she.
Laki, pro. poss. Her: laki die, her mother.
Lasa / Lasar, With her; instrumental case of ‘i.’
Later. From her; ablative of ‘i.’
Lati. Genitive of ‘i’; frequently used as the accusative—e.g. cams tu lati, do you love her?
Lang / Lango, a. Lame. Sans. Lang. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced] Lenk.
Lashi / Lasho, Louis. Hungarian, Lajos, Lazlo. Scotch, Lesley.
Latch, v. a. To find. Wal. Aphla.
Lav, s. Word. Sans. Lapa (to speak). Eng. Lip.
Lavior, pl. Words.
Lav-chingaripen, s. Dispute, word-war.
Lav-engro, s. Word-master, linguist.
Len, pro. pers. pl. To them: se len, there is to them, the have.
Lendar, ablative. From them.
Lende / Lunde, gen. and acc. Of them, them.
Lensar. With them.
Lengué, pro. poss. Their: lengue tan, their tent.
Les, pro. pers. To him; dative of ‘yo,’ he: pawno stadj se les, he has a white hat.
Lescro, pro. poss. His, belonging to him: lescro prala, his brother.
Leste. Of him, likewise him; genitive and accusative of ‘yo.’
Lester. From him.
Leste’s. His: leste’s wast, his hand; properly, lescro wast.
Lesti. Her or it: pukker zi te lesti, tell her your mind; he can’t rokkra lesti, he can’t speak it.
Leav / Ley, v. a. To take. Wal. Loua.
Lel. He takes.
Lel cappi. Get booty, profit, capital.
Lennor, s. Summer, spring.
Levinor, s. Ale; drinks in which there is wormwood. Heb. Laenah (wormwood). Irish, Lion (ale).
Levinor-ker, s. Alehouse.
Levinor-engri. Hop. Lit. ale-thing.
Levinor-engriken tem. Kent. Lit. hop-country.
Li, pron. It: dovo se li, that’s it.
Lidan, v. a. You took; 2nd pers. pret. of Ley.
Lil, s. Book; a letter or pass. Hun. Level. Sans. Likh (to write). Hindustani, Likhan (to write).
Lillai, s. Summer. Hun. Gyp. Nilei.
Linnow, part. pass. Taken, apprehended.
Lis, pro. dat. To it: adrey lis, in it.
Lollo / Lullo, a. Red. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced] Lal.
Lolle bengres, s. pl. Red waistcoats, Bow Street runners.
Lollo matcho, s. Red herring. Lit. red fish.
Lolli plaishta, s. A red cloak.
Lolli, s. A farthing.
Lon / Lun, s. Salt. Sans. Lavana. Hin. Lon.
Lou, pro. It: oprey-lou, upon it. Wal. Lou.
Loure, v. a. To steal. See Luripen.
Lubbeny, s. Harlot. Rus. Liabodieitza (adultress), liobodeinoe (adulterous). Sans. Lúbha (to inflame with lust, to desire). The English word Love is derived from this Sanscrit root.
Lubbenipen, s. Harlotry.
Lubbenified. Become a harlot.
Lundra. London. Mod. Gr. Λόνδρα.
Luripen, s. Robbery, a booty. Lit. a seizure. Wal. Luare (seizure, capture), Louarea Parizouloui (the capture of Paris).
Lutherum, s. Sleep, repose, slumber.
Luvvo, s. Money, currency. Rus. Lóvok (convenient, handy, quick, agile). In Spanish Gypsy, a real (small coin) is called Quelati, a thing which dances, from Quelar, to dance.
Luvvo-mengro, s. Money-changer, banker.
Luvvo-mengro-ker, s. Banker’s house, bank.
M
Má, ad. Not; only used before the imperative: má muk, let not. Sans. Mã. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced]
Maas, s. Sans. Mansa Mans. Rus. Maso. See Mas.
Maas-engro / Maaso-mengro, s. Butcher.
Mailla, s. Ass, donkey. Wal. Megaroul. Sans. Baluya.
Mailla and posh. Ass and foal.
Malleco, a. False.
Malúno / Maloney, s. Lightning. Rus. Mólnïya.
Mam, s. Mother. Wal. Moume. Welsh, Mam. Irish and Scottish Gaelic, Muime (a nurse).
Man, pron. pers. I; very seldom used. Hin. Muen.
Mande, pron. pers. oblique of Man; generally used instead of the nominative Man.
Mander. Ablative of Man, from me: jã mander, go from me.
Mande’s. My. Mande’s wast, my hand; used improperly for miro.
Mangue. Dative of Man, to me; sometimes used instead of the nominative.
Mansa. With me.
Mang, v. a. To beg. Hin. Mangna. Sans. Mãrg.
Mango-mengro, s. A beggar.
Mangipen, s. The trade of begging. Sans. Mãrgana (begging).
Manricley, s. A cake. Span. Gyp. Manricli.
Manush, s. Man. Sans. Mãnasha. Span. Gyp. Manus. See Monish.
Manushi, s. Woman, wife. Sans. Manushi.
Maricli, s. A cake. See Maricley.
Mash, s. Umbrella. A cant word.
Matcho, s. A fish. Sans. Matsya. Hin. Muchee.
Matcheneskoe Gav. Yarmouth. Lit. the fishy town.
Matcheneskoe guero, s. A fisherman.
Matchka, s.f. A cat. Hun. Macska.
Matchko, s. m. A he-cat.
Mattipen, s. Drunkenness. Sans. Matta (to be intoxicated). Mod. Gr. Μέθη (intoxication). Welsh, Meddwy (to intoxicate).
Matto, a. Drunk, intoxicated. Welsh, Meddw.
Matto-mengro, s. Drunkard.
Mea, s. Mile: dui mear, two miles. Wal. Mie.
Mea-bar, s. Milestone.
Medisin, s. Measure, bushel. Sans. Mãna.
Mek, v. n. Leave, let: meklis, leave off, hold your tongue, have done. Sans. Moksh.
Men, pr. We; pl. of Man.
Men, s. Neck. Gaelic, Muineal. Welsh, Mwng. Mandchou, Meifen.
Men-pangushi, s. Neckcloth. See Pangushi.
Mengro. A word much used in composition. See Engro and Mescro.
Mensalli, s. A table. Wal. Masi.
Mer / Merava, v. n. To die. Sans. Mri.
Merricley, s. A cake. See Manricley.
Merripen, s. Death. Sans. Mara.
Merripen, s. Life, according to the Gypsies, though one feels inclined to suppose that the real signification of the word is Death; it may, however, be connected with the Gaulic or Irish word Mairam, to endure, continue, live long: Gura’ fada mhaireadh tu! may you long endure, long life to you! In Spanish Gypsy Merinao signifies an immortal.
Mescro. A particle which, affixed to a verb, forms a substantive masculine:—e.g. Camo, I love; camo-mescro, a lover. Nash, to run; nashi-mescro, a runner. It is equivalent to Mengro, q.v.
Messalli, s. A table. Wal. Masi.
Mestipen, s. Life, livelihood, living, fortune, luck, goodness. Span. Gyp. Mestipen, bestipen. Wal. Viatsie.
Mi, pron. I, my.
Mi cocoro, pron. poss. I myself, I alone.
Mi dearie Dubbeleskey. For my dear God’s sake.
Mi develeskie gueri, s.f. A holy female.
Mi develeskie gueri Mary. Holy Virgin Mary.
Mi develeskoe Baval Engro. Holy Ghost.
Mi dubbelungo, a. Divine.
Mi duvvelungo divvus, s. Christmas Day.
Millior, s. Miles; panj millior, five miles.
Minge / Mintch, s. Pudendum muliebre.
Miro, pron. poss. My, mine.
Miri, pron. poss. f. My, mine.
Misto / Mistos, ad. Well.
Misto dusta. Very well.
Mistos amande. I am glad.
Mitch, s. See Minge.
Mizella. Female Gypsy name.
Mokkado, a. Unclean to eat. Wal. Mourdar (dirty).
Monish, s. Man. See Manush.
Mol, s. Wine. See Mul.
Mollauvis, s. Pewter.
Moomli, s. Candle, taper. See Mumli.
Moomli-mengro, s. Candlestick, lantern.
Moar, v. a. To grind. See Morro.
More / Morava, v. a. To kill, slay. Sans. Mri. Wal. Omori.
Moreno, part. pass. Killed, slain.
More, v. a. To shave, shear. Hun. Gyp. Murinow.
Mormusti, s.f. Midwife. Wal. Maimoutsi. Rus. Mameichka (nurse).
Moro, pron. poss. Our: moro dad, our father.
Morro, s. Bread. Lit. that which is ground. See Moar. Span. Gyp. Manro. Hun. Gyp. Manro, also Gheum: sin gheum manro, gheum is manro (bread). Rus. Gyp. Morroshka (a loaf).
Morro-mengro, s. A baker.
Mort, s. Woman, concubine; a cant word.
Mosco / Moshko, A fly. Lat. Musca. Wal. Mouskie. Span. Gyp. Moscabis (fly-blown, stung with love, picado, enamorado).
Moskey, s. A spy: to jal a moskeying, to go out spying. Fr. Mouchard.
Mufta, s.f. Box, chest. See Muktar.
Mui, s. Face, mouth: lollo leste mui, his face is red. Sans. Mukha (face, mouth). Fr. Mot (a word). Provenzal, Mo.
Muk, v. n. To leave, let. See Mek.
Muktar / Mukto, s. Box, chest.
Mul, s. Wine. Pers. Mul.
Mul divvus. Christmas Day. Lit. wine day.
Mul-engris, s. pl. Grapes: mul-engri tan, vineyard.
Mulleni muktar, s. Coffin. Lit. dead-chest.
Mullodustie mukto. Id.
Mulleno hev, s. Grave.
Mulleno kêr, s. Sepulchre, cemetery.
Mullo, s., a. Dead man, dead.
Mullo mas, s. Dead meat; flesh of an animal not slain, but which died alone.
Mumli, s.f. Candle.
Mumli-mescro, s. Chandler.
Munjee, s. A blow on the mouth, seemingly a cant word. Hin. Munh, mouth. Ger. Mund.
Murces / Mursior, s. pl. Arms. Span. Gyp. Murciales.
Muscro, s. Constable. See Muskerro.
Mush, s. Man. Rus. Mouge. Finnish, Mies. Tibetian, Mi. Lat. Mas (a male).
Mushi, s. Woman.
Mushipen, s. A little man, a lad. Toulousian, Massip (a young man), massipo (a young woman).
Muskerro, s. Constable.
Muskerriskoe cost, s. Constable’s staff.
Mutra, s. Urine.
Mutrava, v. a. To void urine. Sans. Mutra.
Mutra-mengri, s. Tea.
Mutzi, s. Skin. Span. Gyp. Morchas.
Mutzior, s. pl. Skins.
N
Na, ad. Not.
Naflipen, s. Sickness. Span. Gyp. Nasallipen. Mod. Gr. νόσευμα.
Nai. Properly Na hi, there is not: nai men chior, we have no girls.
Naior, s. pl. Nails of the fingers or toes. Mod. Gr. νύχι.
Nangipen, s. Nakedness.
Nango, a. Naked.
Narilla / Narrila, A female Gypsy name.
Nash, v. a. To run. Span. Gyp. Najar.
Nashimescro, s. Runner, racer.
Nashimescro-tan, s. Race-course.
Nash, v. a. To lose, destroy, to hang. Sans. Nasa. Span. Gyp. Najabar (to lose). Sans. Nakha (to destroy). Eng. Nacker (a killer of old horses).
Nashado, part. pret. Lost, destroyed, hung.
Nashimescro, s. Hangman.
Nashko, part. pass. Hung: nashko pré rukh, hung on a tree.
Nasho, part. pass. Hung.
Nástis, a. Impossible. See Astis.
Nav, s. Name. Hun. Nev.
Naval, s. Thread. Span. Gyp. Nafre.
Naes / Nes, postpos. According to, after the manner of: gorgikonaes, after the manner of the Gentiles; Romano-chalugo-naes, after the manner of the Gypsies.
Ne, ad. No, not: ne burroder, no more; ne riddo, not dressed.
Nevo, a. New.
Nevi, a. fem. New: nevi tud from the guveni, new milk from the cow.
Nevey Rukhies. The New Forest. Lit. new trees.
Nevi Wesh. The New Forest.
Nick, v. a. To take away, steal. Span. Gyp. Nicabar.
Nick the cost. To steal sticks for skewers and linen-pegs.
Nogo, s. Own, one’s own; nogo dad, one’s own father; nogo tan, one’s own country.
Nok, s. Nose. Hin. Nakh.
Nok-engro, s. A glandered horse. Lit. a nose-fellow.
Nokkipen, s. Snuff.
O
O, art. def. The.
O, pron. He.
Odoi, ad. There. Hun. Ott, oda.
Oduvvu, pron. dem. That. Span. Gyp. Odoba.
Olevas / Olivas / Olivor, s. pl. Stockings. Span. Gyp. Olibias. Wal. Chorapul.
Opral / Opré / Oprey, prep. Upon, above. Wal. Pre, asoupra.
Or. A plural termination; for example, Shock, a cabbage, pl. shock-or. It is perhaps derived from Ouri, the plural termination of Wallachian neuter nouns ending in ‘e.’
Ora, s.f. A watch. Hun. Ora.
Ora, s. An hour: so si ora, what’s o’clock?
Orlenda. Gypsy female name. Rus. Orlitza (female eagle).
Os. A common termination of Gypsy nouns. It is frequently appended by the Gypsies to English nouns in order to disguise them.
Owli, ad. Yes. See Avali.
P
Pa, prep. By: pá mui, by mouth. Rus. Po.
Padlo, ad. Across: padlo pawnie, across the water, transported.
Pahamengro, s. Turnip.
Pailloes, s. Filberts.
Pal, s. Brother.
Pal of the bor. Brother of the hedge, hedgehog.
Palal, prep. ad. Behind, after, back again: av palal, come back, come again: palal the welgorus, after the fair. Mod. Gr. πάλιν (again). Rus. Opiat (id.).
Pand, v. a. To bind. Sans. Bandh.
Pandipen, s. Pinfold, prison, pound.
Pandlo, part. pass. Bound, imprisoned, pounded.
Pand opre, v. a. To bind up.
Pandlo-mengro, s. Tollgate, thing that’s shut.
Pangushi, s.f. Handkerchief.
Pãni, s. Water. See Pawni.
Panishey shock, s. Watercress. Lit. water-cabbage. See Shok.
Panj, a. Five. See Pansch.
Pani-mengro, s. Sailor, waterman.
Panni-mengri, s. Garden.
Panno, s. Cloth. Lat. Pannus. Wal. Penzie.
Pansch, s. Five. Hin. Panch.
Pappins / Pappior, s. pl. Ducks. Mod. Gr. πάρια.
Paracrow, v. a. To thank: paracrow tute, I thank you.
Parava / Parra, v. a. To change, exchange. See Porra.
Parriken, s. Trust, credit. Mod. Gr. παρακαταθήκη (trusted goods).
Parno, a. White. See Pauno.
Pas, s. Half. See Posh.
Pasherro, s. Halfpenny; pl. pasherie. Pers. [Persian which cannot be reproduced] Pasheez (a farthing).
Pas-more, v. a. Half-kill.
Patch, s. Shame. Span. Gyp. Pachi, modesty, virginity. Sans. Putchã.
Patnies, s. pl. Ducks.
Patrin, s. A Gypsy trail; handfuls of leaves or grass cast by the Gypsies on the road, to denote to those behind the way which they have taken.
Pattin, s. A leaf. Span. Gyp. Patia. Sans. Patra.
Pattinor. Leaves.
Paub / Paubi, s. An apple. Hung. Gyp. Paboy.
Pauno, a. White. Sans. Pandu. Gaelic, Ban.
Pauno gad. Clean shirt.
Pauno sherro. Grey head, white head.
Pauno, s. Flour. Lit. what is white. The Latin ‘panis’ seems to be connected with this word.
Pauno-mengro, s. A miller, white fellow.
Pauno-mui, s. Pale face; generally applied to a vain, foolish girl, who prefers the company of the pallid Gentiles to that of the dark Romans.
Pauvi, s. An apple.
Pauvi-pãni, s. Cyder, apple-water.
Pawdel, ad. Across, over: pawdel puve and pawni, across land and water; pawdel the chumba, over the hill.
Pawnee / Pawni, s. Water. Sans. Pãniya. Hin. Panie. Eng. Pond. See Pāni.
Pawnugo, a. Watery: pawnugo hev, water-hole, well.
Pazorrhus, part. pass. Indebted. See Pizarris.
Péava, v. a. To drink. Sans. Pã.
Péa-mengri, s. Tea-pot. Wal. Bea. Lit. drinking thing.
Peeapen, s. Health: ako’s your peeapen! here’s your health!
Pea-mengro, s. Drunkard.
Pedloer, s. Nuts; prop. Acorns. Pers. Peleed.
Peerdie, s. Female tramper.
Peerdo, s. Male tramper.
Pek’d / Pekt, part. pass. Roasted. Span. Gyp. Peco. Sans. Pãka (cooking). Pers. Pekhtan. Rus. Petsch (oven).
Pele, s. pl. Testicles. Sans. P’hala.
Pelengo gry / Pelengro gry, s. Stone-horse.
Pen, a particle affixed to an adjective or a verb when some property or quality, affection or action is to be expressed, the termination of the first word being occasionally slightly modified: for example, Kosko, good, koskipen, goodness; Tatcho, true, tatchipen, truth; Camo, I love, camipen, love; Chingar, to fight, chingaripen, war. It is of much the same service in expressing what is abstract and ideal as Engro, Mescro, and Engri are in expressing what is living and tangible. It is sometimes used as a diminutive, e.g. Mushipen, a little fellow.
Pen, s. Sister.
Pen / Penav, v. a. To say, speak. Wal. Spoune.
Penchava, v. n. To think. Pers. Pendashten. Sans. Vi-cit.
Penliois, s. Nuts. See Pedloer.
Per, s. Belly.
Per, v. n. To fall. Span. Gyp. Petrar. Sans. Pat.
Per tuley. To fall down.
Perdo, a. Full. Sans. Purva, to fill.
Pes / Pessa, v. a. To pay. Span. Gyp. Plaserar. Rus. Platit. Wal. Pleti. Hun. Fizetni.
Pes apopli. To repay.
Petul, s. A horse-shoe. Mod. Gr. πέταλον. Wal. Potkoavie. Heb. Bedel (tin).
Petul-engro, s. Horseshoe-maker, smith, tinker; the name of a Gypsy tribe.
Pi, v. a. To drink. Sans. Piva (drinking). See Peava.
Pias, s. Fun. Mod. Gr. παίζω (to play).
Pikkis / Pikkaris, s. pl. Breasts. See Birk, bark. Wal. Piept.
Pikko, s. Shoulder.
Pios, part. pass. Drunken. Only employed when a health is drunk: e.g. aukko tu pios adrey Romanes, your health is drunk in Romany.
Píre, s. pl. Feet.
Pirè, s. pl. Trampers.
Pire-gueros, s. pl. Travellers, trampers. Lit. foot-fellows.
Pireni, s.f. Sweetheart.
Pireno, s. m. Sweetheart.
Piro, v. a. To walk: pirel, he walks.
Piro-mengro, s. Walker.
Pirry, s. Pot, boiler. This is a west-country Gypsy word. Span. Gyp. Piri. Sans. Pithara, pãtra.
Pishen, s. Flea, any kind of insect: guldo pishen, honey-insect, bee, honey.
Pivli, s. A widow.
Pivlo, s. A widower.
Pivley-gueri, s. A widowed female.
Pivley-guero, s. A widowed fellow.
Pivley-raunie, s. A widow lady.
Piya-mengro, s. Drunkard. See Pea-mengro.
Pizarris / Pizaurus, part. pass. Trusted, credited, in debt. Sans. Vishvas (to trust). Wal. Se bizoui (to trust, to credit). Mod. Gr. πιστευθίες (he who has been credited). Span. Gyp. Bisarar (to owe), bisauras (debts), pista (an account).
Pizarri-mengro, s. A trusted person, a debtor.
Plakta, s. Sheet: bero-rukiskie plakta, a ship’s sail.
Plashta, s. Cloak: lolli plashta, red cloak. Span. Gyp. Plata. Plakta and plashta are probably both derived from the Wallachian postat, a sheet.
Plastra, v. a. To run.
Plastra lesti. Run it; run for your life.
Plastra-mengro, s. a. A Bow Street runner, a pursuer. In Spanish Gypsy, Plastañi means a company which pursues robbers.
Poggado, part. pass. Broken.
Poggado bavol-engro, s. Broken-winded horse.
Poggado habben, s. Broken victuals.
Poggra, v. a. To break. Wal. Pokni.
Poggra-mengri, s. A mill. Lit. a breaking thing.
Poknies, s. Justice of the peace. Rus. Pokoio (to pacify).
Pokiniskoe ker, s. House of a justice of the peace.
Pooshed / Poosheno, part. pass. Buried: mulo ta poosheno, dead and buried.
Por, s. Feather. Pers. Par. Sans. Parna.
Por-engro, s. Pen-master, penman, one able to write.
Por-engri-pen, s. Penmanship, writing.
Porior, s. pl. Feathers.
Pordo, a. Heavy. Wal. Povarie (a weight). Lat. Pondus.
Porra, v. a. To exchange.
Posh, s. Half.
Posherro / Poshoro, s. Halfpenny.
Possey-mengri, s. Pitchfork; improperly used for any fork. The literal meaning is a straw-thing; a thing used for the removal of straw. See Pus.
Potan, s. Tinder. Wal. Postabh (sheet, cloth). Sans. Pata (cloth).
Poov / Pov, s. Earth, ground. Sans. Bhu.
Poov, v. To poov a gry, to put a horse in a field at night.
Pov-engro, s. An earth thing, potato.
Pov-engreskoe, a. Belonging to the potato.
Povengreskoe gav. Potato town—Norwich.
Povengreskoe tem. Potato country—Norfolk.
Povo-guero, s. Mole, earth-fellow.
Praio, a. Upper: praio tem, upper country, heaven. Span. Gyp. Tarpe (heaven). See Opré.
Prala, s. Brother.
Pude, v. a. To blow.
Pude-mengri, s. Blowing thing, bellows.
Pudge, s. Bridge. Wal. Pod, podoul. Pers. Pul. Sans. Pāli.
Pukker, v. a. To tell, declare, answer, say, speak. Span. Gyp. Pucanar (to proclaim). Hin. Pukar, pukarnar.
Pur, s. Belly. See Per.
Pureno, a. Ancient, old: pureno foky, the old people. Sans. Purvya (ancient).
Puro, a. Old. Sans. Purã.
Puro dad, s. Grandfather.
Purrum, s. Leek, onion. Lat. Porrum.
Purrum / Purrun, n. pr. Lee, or Leek; the name of a numerous Gypsy tribe in the neighbourhood of London. Wal. Pur (onion). Lat. Porrum. Sans. Purãna (ancient).
Pus, s. Straw. Sans. Busa, chaff.
Putch, v. a. To ask. Hin. Puchhna.
Putsi, s. Purse, pocket. Sans. Putã, pocket. Wal. Pountsi. Old cant, Boung.
Putsi-lil, s. Pocket-book.
Puvvo, s. Earth, ground. See Poov.
Puvvesti churi, s. a. Plough.
R
Raia, s. Gentleman, lord. See Rye.
Rak, v. n. To beware, take care; rak tute, take care of yourself. Sans. Raksh (to guard, preserve).
Rakli, s.f. Girl.
Raklo, s. Boy, lad.
Ran, s. Rod: ranior, rods. Sans. Ratha (cane, ratan).
Rarde, s. Night. Sans. Rātri.
Rardiskey, a. Nightly.
Rardiskey kair poggring, s. Housebreaking by night, burglary.
Rashengro, s. Clergyman.
Rashi, s. Clergyman, priest. Sans. Rishi (holy person).
Rashieskey rokkring tan, s. Pulpit.
Ratcheta, s. A goose, duck. See Retsa.
Ratti, s. Blood. Sans. Rudhira.
Ratniken chiriclo, s. Nightingale.
Rawnie, s. Lady.
Rawniskie dicking gueri, s. Lady-like looking woman.
Rawniskie tatti naflipen, s. The lady’s fever, maladie de France.
Retza, s. Duck. Wal. Rierzoiou. See Rossar-mescro. Hun. Récze.
Reyna. A female Gypsy name.
Riddo, part. pass. Dressed. Span. Gyp. Vriardao.
Rig / Riggur / Riggurava, v. a. To bear, carry, bring.
Rig in zi. To remember, bear in mind.
Rig to zi. To bring to mind.
Rinkeno, a. Handsome.
Rivipen, s. Dress. Lit. linen clothes, women’s dress. Wal. Ruphe. Mod. Gr. ῥάπτης (a tailor). In Spanish Gypsy clothes are called Goneles, from the Wallachian Khainele.
Rodra, v. a. To search, seek.
Roi, s. Spoon.
Rokra, v. a. To talk, speak. Rus. Rek (he said). Lat. Loquor.
Rokrenchericlo, s. Parrot, magpie.
Rokrenguero, s. A lawyer, talker. Gaelic, Racaire (a chatterer).
Rokrengueriskey gav. Talking fellows’ town—Norwich.
Rokunyes, s. Trousers, breeches. Hun. Gyp. Roklia (gown). Mod. Gr. ῤόχρν (cloth).
Rom, s. A husband. Sans. Rama (a husband), Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu), Rum (to sport, fondle). Lat. Roma (City of Rama). Gaelic, Rom (organ of manhood). Eng. Ram (aries, male sheep). Heb. Ream (monoceros, unicorn).
Rommado, part. pass. s. Married, husband.
Romm’d, part. pass. Married.
Romano Chal / Romany Chal, A Gypsy fellow, Gypsy lad. See Chal.
Romani chi. Gypsy lass, female Gypsy.
Romanes / Romany, Gypsy language.
Romaneskoenaes. After the Gypsy fashion. Wal. Roumainesk (Roumainean, Wallachian.)
Romano Rye / Romany Rye, Gypsy gentleman.
Rook / Rukh, s. Tree. Sans. Vriksha. Hun. Gyp. Rukh. Span. Gyp. Erucal (an olive-tree).
Rookeskey cost. Branch of a tree.
Rooko-mengro, s. Squirrel. Lit. tree-fellow.
Roshto, a. Angry. Wal. Resti (to be angry).
Rossar-mescro, s. Gypsy name of the tribe Heron, or Herne. Lit. duck-fellow.
Roujiou, a. Clean. See Iuziou.
Rove, v. n. To weep. Sans. Rud.
Rup, s. Silver. Sans. Raupya. Hin. Rupee.
Rupenoe, a. Silver: rupenoe péa-mengri, silver tea-pots.
Ruslipen, s. Strength.
Ruslo, a. Strong. Mod. Gr. ῥῶσω (roborabo). Rus. Rosluy (great, huge of stature). Hun. Erö (strength), erös (strong).
Rye, s. A lord, gentleman. Sans. Raj, Rayã.
Ryeskoe, a. Gentlemanly.
Ryeskoe dicking guero. Gentlemanly looking man.
Ryoriskey rokkaring keir, s. The House of Commons. Lit. the gentlemen’s talking house.
S
Sacki. Name of a Gypsy man.
Sainyor, s. Pins. Span. Gyp. Chingabar (a pin).
Sal, v. n. To laugh; properly, he laughs. Span. Gyp. Asaselarse. Sans. Has.
Salla. She laughs.
Salivaris, s.f. Bridle. See Sollibari.
Sap / Sarp, s. Snake, serpent. Wal. Sharpelé. Span. Gyp. Chaplesca.
Sappors, s. pl. Snakes.
Sap drey chaw. A snake in the grass: sap drey bor, a snake in the hedge.
Sapnis, s. Soap. Mod. Gr. σαποῦνι. Wal. Sipoun.
Sar, postpos., prepos. With: mensar, with us; sar amande, with me.
Sar, conjunct. As.
Sar, ad. How.
Sar shin, How are you? Sar shin, meero rye? Sar shin, meeri rawnie? How are you, sir? How are you, madam?
Sas. If it were. See Is.
Sas, s. Nest. See Tass.
Sarla, s. Evening: koshti sarla, good evening. See Tasarla. Wal. Seara. Mod. Gr. σίδηρον.
Saster, s. Iron.
Saster-mengri, s. A piece of iron worn above the knee by the skewer-makers whilst engaged in whittling.
Saster-mengro, s. Ironmonger.
Sasters, sastris. Nails: chokkiskey sastris, shoe-nails.
Sau, adv. How.
Sau kisi. How much?
Saulohaul / Sovlehaul, v. a. To swear.
Saulohaul bango. To swear falsely.
Sauloholomus, s. Oath. Span. Gyp. Solája (a curse). Arab. [Arabic which cannot be reproduced] Salat (prayer). Lat. Solemnis. Fr. Serment. Wal. Jourirnint (oath).
Savo, pron. Who, that, which.
Saw, v. n. I laugh. Sawschan tu, you laugh.
Scamp. Name of a small Gypsy tribe. Sans. Kshump (to go).
Scourdilla, s.f. Platter. Lat. Scutella.
Scunyes / Scunyor, s. pl. Pins, skewers. See Escunyes.
Se, 3rd pers. sing. pres. Is, there is: kosko guero se, he is a good fellow; se les, there is to him, he has.
Shab, v. a. Cut away, run hard, escape. Hun. Szabni. This word is chiefly used by the tobair coves, or vagrants.
Shan. You are, they are. See Shin.
Shauvo, v. To get with child. See Shuvvli.
Shehaury. Sixpence. See Shohaury.
Shello, s. Rope. Span. Gyp. Jele.
Shello-hokta-mengro, s. Rope-dancer.
Sher-engro, s. A head-man, leader of a Gypsy tribe.
Sher-engri, s. A halter.
Shero, s. A head. Pers. سر
Sherro’s kairipen, s. Learning, head-work.
Sheshu, s. Hare, rabbit. See Shoshoi.
Sherrafo, a. Religious, converted. Arab. Sherif.
Shilleno / Shilleró / Shillo, a. Cold: shillo chik, cold ground.
Shillipen, s. Cold.
Shin. Thou art: sar shin, how art thou?
Sho, s. Thing.
Sho, a. Six.
Shohaury, s. Sixpence.
Shok, s. Cabbage: shockor, cabbages. Span. Gyp. Chaja.
Shom, v. 1st pers. pres. I am. Used in the pure Roman tongue to express necessity: e.g. shom te jav, I must go. Lat. Sum. Hun. Gyp. Hom.
Shoob, s. Gown. Rus. Shoob. See Shubbo.
Shoon, v. n. To hear. Pers. Shiniden. Sans. Sru.