gyp

¹

or gip

[ jip ]

verb (used with or without object)

, gypped, gyp·ping.

1. Informal: Offensive. to defraud or rob by some sharp practice; swindle; cheat.

noun

1. Informal: Offensive. a con, fraud, cheat, or ripoff.
2. Also gyp·per [] gyp·ster []. Informal: Offensive. a swindler or cheat.
3. Also called gypsy. (in horse racing) an owner of racehorses who also acts as trainer and jockey.

gyp

²

[ jip ]

noun

, British Informal.

1. a male college servant, as at Cambridge and Durham.

gyp

¹

/ dʒɪp /

verb

1. tr to swindle, cheat, or defraud

noun

1. an act of cheating
2. a person who gyps

gyp

²

/ dʒɪp /

noun

1. a college servant at the universities of Cambridge and Durham Compare scout 1

gyp

³

/ dʒɪp /

noun

1. slang.
   severe pain; torture

   his arthritis gave him gyp

Sensitive Note

The word gyp is a shortening of Gypsy, an insensitive label that has been used as a disparaging slur for the traditionally nomadic group whose preferred name is Roma. Gyp in the meanings “to swindle” or “a person who swindles” is further insulting to the Roma, since it stereotypes them as cheats and frauds. However, many people are unfamiliar with the origin and history of gyp and Gypsy, so these terms are still in use, even among speakers who generally try to avoid disparaging and offensive language.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gyp¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; back formation from Gypsy. The variants at gyp ¹def 3, gypper and gypster, are formed from gyp ¹( def ) + -er ¹( def ) and -ster ( def ) respectively

Origin of gyp²

First recorded in 1740–50; perhaps from gypsy

Word History and Origins

Origin of gyp¹

C18: back formation from Gypsy

Origin of gyp²

C18: perhaps from Gypsy , or from obsolete gippo a scullion

Origin of gyp³

C19: probably a contraction of gee up!; see gee ¹

About This Word

More context on gyp

A term you probably want to eject from your vocabulary is gyp, slang for “to cheat” or “a cheat.” It is a shortening of the word gypsy, an often derogatory term for the Roma, a nomadic people who have been stereotyped as being swindlers or con artists. Read our Usage Note for even more context on gyp.

If knowing the history of gyp has got you reflecting on your word choices, this slideshow, “These Common Words Have Offensive Histories,” discusses many other words whose place in your vocab you may want to reconsider. 

Keep in mind …

You don’t have to insult an ethnic group to refer to cheating. English has more alternatives for gyp than we can include here.

In place of gyp as a verb, consider:

• bamboozle
• defraud
• dupe
• flimflam
• fool
• hoodwink
• hustle
• scam
• swindle

In place of gyp as a noun, try fraud, racket, rip-off, con, and sham, to name a few.

And in place of gyp as a term for a person running a shady operation, use charlatan, con artist, crook, double-dealer, swindler, or thief.

Plenty more substitutes for gyp can be found a quick click away at Thesaurus.com. Start with cheat and fraud. Both of these do double duty (not double-dealing) as nouns and verbs for various duplicitous endeavors.