[Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Hello All, I taught a dance this evening that included a ladies' gypsy. I received the email below a few minutes ago. In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I am at a loss for how to respond, except to apologize for

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

"Gypsy" comes from Cecil Sharp, when he was trying to name a figure that appeared in the literature of two dancers going around each other. My hearsay understanding is that he named it after some Romani dances he knew of where partners didn't touch each other. -Chris Page San Diego, CA On Sat,

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

While I did already know that the Romani people have been severely discriminated against and oppressed, I did not know that the term gypsy was considered offensive. So I will think further about that. I would not be inclined to describe the move as “flirty”, however, because that is the

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Before I respond directly, I ask that all of us posting what I expect to be many replies to trim post quotes to just the pertinent bits (particularly those reading the "digest" version). I don't stress flirtation with this move - if so inclined, it appears to develop quite naturally on its own.

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in soundCyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon?Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out. How about "eddy"? Brooks List-Post: callers@lists.sharedweight.net Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2015 10:08:23 -0400 To:

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 5:17 AM, Chris Page via Callers wrote: > "Gypsy" comes from Cecil Sharp, when he was trying to name a figure that > appeared in the literature of two dancers going around each other. > > My hearsay understanding is that he named it after

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Since when I'm prompting, I sometimes just say "right shoulder" (or "left shoulder" for a left shoulder gypsy), I'm going to try using that as the name the next time I call. The teaching would look like: "Point your right shoulder at your neighbor and look them in the eyes. Walk around them.

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Hi Amy, I believe this topic has come up previously on other callers lists, and it is a bit of a conundrum. There are other terms in the arts, like "buck dancing". American percussive dance dates back to the slave period. In some regions, what was an (unfortunate) common term for male slaves?

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

I always describe a gypsy as being just like a dos à dos, but face to face, instead of back to back. As that is the case, why not use French again. As "dos à dos" means back to back, why not use "face à face" which means face to face? Pronunciation would probably be difficult for those who don't

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

"Spiral". That said, I've yet to hear a report of a Romani being offended. It's my understanding that this may be a problem, say, in Europe, where the term may be used as a slur. But here in America... we have plenty of racial slurs, and I've yet to hear or hear of gypsy being used in a

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

In square dance, the call "walk all around your left hand lady" is very close to a right shoulder gypsy, and "See Saw is a left shoulder walk around. A left shoulder Dosido is no longer called a See Saw, but a Left Dosido. Walk all around your nieghbor or partner, and see saw your neighbor or

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

On 10/24/15 12:12 AM, Amy Wimmer via Callers wrote: Hello All, I taught a dance this evening that included a ladies' gypsy. I received the email below a few minutes ago. In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Sent from my iPad > On 24 Oct 2015, at 19:52, Richard Hart via Callers > wrote: > > I always describe a gypsy as being just like a dos à dos, but face to > face, instead of back to back. This might be problematic for ECD dancers as Fried de Metz Herman

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Jeff Kauffman referred us to: > http://www.jefftk.com/p/history-of-the-term-gypsy That page mentions Playford's 1651 description of the dance "Cuckolds all a row," which includes the directions: ..., goe about the Co. We. not turning your faces. ..., goe about your owne not turning

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Thank you for articulating these thought so clearly. I wonder if Tony Barrand might have some idea about the origins from the Morris and longsword perspective. Patricia Sent from my iPhone > On Oct 24, 2015, at 5:05 PM, Alan Winston via Callers > wrote: > >

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

I can see from this discussion that there is definitely merit in giving this move a different name, though I had never thought of it as a derogatory term before. I rather like the idea suggested in a previous post of "eddy" because it is short and to the point and sounds different from other

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

I don't think of it as a derogatory term. Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 lind...@tsmworks.com On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 6:36 PM, Martha Wild via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I can see from this discussion that there is definitely merit

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Flirting - I try not to suggest that Name - not worried what we call it Suggestion - I sometimes call it 'eyeballs'. It works well. -- Michael Barraclough mich...@michaelbarraclough.com www.michaelbarraclough.com -Original Message- From: Martha Wild via Callers

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

On Sat, Oct 24, 2015, Brooks Hart via Callers wrote: > > How about "eddy"? "What's the matter, Columbia? You've eaten Eddie before." Sorry, that's the first thing that popped into my head... -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6http://rule6.info/

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

On Sat, Oct 24, 2015, Lindsay Morris via Callers wrote: > > I don't think of it as a derogatory term. Are you Romani? As with other terms that are slurs against various demographic groups, you don't get to decide what's derogatory or offensive if you're not part of the group. In many cases

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

On Sat, Oct 24, 2015, janet via Callers wrote: > > Troll has an original meaning as a mean mythical creature, who, > somewhere along the lines became associated with living under a > bridge. In today's society a troll came to mean someone who reads > computer forums, usually with malicious

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughtful replies. I have a much better idea how to respond to this person now. I also have some changes to make in my calling. I appreciate the education and elucidation. Ignorance is not bliss. I think that, for now, I will do my best to eliminate the word "gypsy"

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

See the link below for more information on the dance The Spanish Gypsy (or Jeepsie), the song from which the tune for the dance came, and the 1623 play from which the song came, which had the title "The Spanish Gypsy". http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/lod/vol4/spanish_gipsy.html I'll go out on a limb