gyp

Perhaps from the term gypsy (“Roma”), due to a stereotype of the Roma as swindlers. Compare jew (“defraud”), from Jew, and welsh (“swindle by defaulting on a debt”), from Welsh.[1]

• gip, jip (eye dialect spellings)

• IPA^(key): /d͡ʒɪp/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪp

gyp (plural gyps)

1. (derogatory, sometimes offensive) A cheat or swindle; a rip-off.

   Why do we have to buy this new edition of the textbook when there’s almost no difference between it and the previous one? What a gyp!

2. Synonym of gypsy (“contra dance step”)

Because this term is often considered to derive[1] from the exonymic term Gypsy and represent a racist stereotype of the Romani, it may be offensive. See the usage note about gypsy.

gyp (third-person singular simple present gyps, present participle gypping, simple past and past participle gypped)

1. (derogatory, sometimes offensive) To cheat or swindle someone or something inappropriately.

   The cab driver gypped me out of ten bucks by taking the longer route.

   You better watch out; they'll try to gyp you if you don't know what you're doing.

See the notes about the noun, above.

Perhaps the same as Etymology 1. An earlier theory derived the term from Ancient Greek γύψ (gúps, “vulture”) (/ɡýps/; compare Greek γύπας (gýpas) /ˈʝi.pas/),[1][2] "in reference to thievish habits of the servants" (and then derived Etymology 1 thence), but this does not explain the pronunciation.

gyp (plural gyps)

1. (Cambridge and Durham, England, now chiefly historical) A college servant, one who would attend upon a number of students, brushing their clothes, carrying parcels, waiting at parties and other tasks, distinct from a college porter or bedder.[3]
   • 1887, H. Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, 1919, Longmans, page 15,

     'Why, what is the matter with you, John?' I asked of the gyp who waited on Vincey and myself.

2. (Cambridge and Durham, England) The room in which such college servants work.
3. (Cambridge and Durham, England) A small kitchen for use by college students.

Shortening.

gyp (plural gyps)

1. Gypsophila.

Perhaps from gee up.

gyp (plural gyps)

1. Pain or discomfort.

   My back's giving me gyp.

• jew down
• welsh

• Gyp: Thieve, World Wide Words
• Etymology of "Gyp" / "gypped", Vocaboly.com