gyp

¹ American  

[jip] / dʒɪp /

Or gip

verb (used with or without object)

gypped, gypping

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

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noun

1. Informal: Offensive. a con, fraud, cheat, or ripoff.

2. Informal: Offensive. Also gypper gypster a swindler or cheat.

3. Also called gypsy.  (in horse racing) an owner of racehorses who also acts as trainer and jockey.

gyp ² American  

[jip] / dʒɪp /

noun

British Informal.

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

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gyp ¹ British  

/ dʒɪp /

verb

1. (tr) to swindle, cheat, or defraud

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noun

1. an act of cheating

2. a person who gyps

gyp ² British  

/ dʒɪp /

noun

1. slang severe pain; torture

   his arthritis gave him gyp

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gyp ³ British  

/ dʒɪp /

noun

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

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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.

Usage

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. 

Etymology

Origin of gyp¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; back formation from Gypsy. The variants at gyp ¹ def. 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

Example Sentences

I had a knee replacement in my right knee, which has been giving me gyp for the last six years.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2021

No majors since, and she’s been well off the pace this year, her long game in particular giving her gyp.

From The Guardian • Aug. 2, 2019

Plenty enough time for the City faithful to give him plenty of gyp.

From The Guardian • Sep. 15, 2015

Addressing a meeting of the American Advertising Federation in 1969, Ms. Jones, known as a plain speaker, called for the “perpetual elimination from the marketplace” of “the gyp artist or the gimmick specialist.”

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2010

And how the policeman who ran the test didn’t even look weird or have a funny name, which felt like a gyp to me.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky