What is the origin of gypsies?

Question:

What is the origin of gypsies?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have answered this one more than a few times.

You need to be a little bit more specific in your question.

The ORIGINAL origin of the Romani is Punjab, India. Of course, this was a long, long time ago. The name "Gypsy" came from a mistaken belief that we were from Egypt.

We spread all over the world.

If you want an answer about any other ethnicity that falls under the umbrella term "Gypsy" I cannot provide it.

People keep saying we originated in Romania because of the name. "Rom" means, in Romanes, "man". That is all.

I am of Romanian Romani descent. Most of us describe ourselves by where our familiya or Vitsa is from. I am American but my parents were from Romania.

"Gypsy" is not a way of life. "Gypsy" is an umbrella term that includes many very distinct ethnicities, including Romani, Sinti, Black Dutch, Irish Travellers, and many more. One of the ways to annoy a Gypsy is to walk up to one and say... "I have cast my worries to the wind, am now a free spirit, I am a Gypsy just like YOU!"