The innocent words that denigrate: why the notion of «info-Gypsyry» should vanish

‘Speak, so that I may see you.’ Oh, how centuries-old is this utterance by Socrates! And still, people continue speaking without thinking, thus rendering themselves discriminators. And even if they had meant nothing evil, certain things per se constitute a manifestation of prejudice.

We can hear these words live on TV, we can see them in mass media—nay, even social networks come up with this ‘colourful’ vocabulary.  Info-Gypsyism. Why saying something like this is not ok? Is it indeed such a unique term which really-really cannot be replaced by anything else? Let us take a look at this and discuss. 

‘Info-Gypsyism’ should vanish

Info-Gypsyism stands for dishonest business which offers its ‘clients’ superficial, shallow, often unprofessional training. Most often, these practices include fake courses, fake training sessions, and/or fake consulting services whereby people are promised that, upon completion of such ‘education’, they will be able to promptly resolve problems, achieve success or generate substantial income—although, in fact, these «information products» contain no real value, nor do they give any real knowledge.

Wherefrom, then, this combination: information + Gypsies? Because, hello, stereotypes. After all, people still have this image in their heads—one of a panhandling hypnotiser begging for money.

Now let us put our imagination to work. Imagine how such words would sound, had they been assigned to other ethnicities. «Info-Jewery» or «info-Frenchery»? Really? Or is «info-Ukrainery» better? Such expressions are not just misplaced and ridiculous; they are utterly denigrating and harmful. And yet, due to reasons unknown, the notion of «info-Gypsyry» seems to be quite normal to many people. So how come an entire nation is associated with fraud and deceit, as if it were some kind of their natural trait?

Romanis are one of the most discriminated ethnicities in Europe. They regularly face prejudice whereas their image in society is often reduced to stereotypes which are regularly replenished via language, generation to generation. And when we say «info-Gypsyism», we strengthen these stereotypes, even if it seems to be an innocent thing to us.

Let us also mention words and phrases like «Gypsyry» or «to gypsy something out of someone». These utterances, too, reinforce negative stereotypes pertaining to Romanis. And these are not just some language patterns. They create an image of an ethnic group which is depicted as fraudsters, dodgy folk, people who should not be trusted. This devalues and denigrates an entire ethnic group which, even without these denigration and depreciation, has faced discrimination and marginalisation for centuries. And we support this each and every time when we use these terms in our vernacular. Yes, that is correct: by using just one word, you label yourself as an intolerant man.

High time to get rid of such words in our language. Stereotypes keep living in  human conscience for much longer than we can imagine. Only we are able to eliminate them—and we should start with the way we talk. Let us not keep replenishing language with discriminative words. Let us instead be careful with our words, as they possess the force of both to destroy and unite.

So what to say?

You may of course say that we exaggerate, that this problem does not really exist. But when we talk about a certain ethnic or social group, such arguments seem to be quite apt. After all, we have all now got accustomed to conventional terms like African American, a disabled person, a homosexual. What about Romanis then? In addition to them being forced to hear the word «Gypsies» even today, they still experience neologisms created using the name of their ethnicity that define fraud and manipulations.

But in reality, everything is quite simple. Do you feel like you are unable to find an appropriate replacement for the term «info-Gypsyry»? Take a shot at chat GPT. And so we addressed AI. And here are the suggestions it has come up with:

Infofraud would be a term that stresses the essence of fraud whereby useless or low quality information is offered and sold.

Infomanipulation puts an emphasis on manipulative techniques used to sell information products.

Course fraud is a term specifying that useless courses are being sold.

Pseudoconsulting stresses the fact that advice and consultations offered are fake.

Info-con would be a general term to describe fraud through information products or services.

We may as well come up with new names for professions and occupations:

Pseudoexperts are people who profess to be experts yet have zero proper knowledge or experience.

Charlatans are persons defrauding other people by offering fake or low quality products or services.

Information fraudsters are people using information products for manipulation and reaping the benefit by means of deceit.

Motivation crooks are people selling false promises of success through their motivation courses or training sessions.

Quite a long list, is it not? You can choose, replace, and use. I personally would prefer to use the term «infofraud». After all, the term «infobusiness» already sounds quite sarcastically. If we use it in a combination with these juicy epithets, it may well replace the denigrating term of «info-Gypsyry».

Why is this important?

We often fail to understand that words can influence and shape the way we see people, and even reinforce stereotypes. Same thing has happened to the term «info-Gypsyry». By using this word, we subconsciously affirm ourselves in believing that Romanis are fraudsters, crooks, people whom no one can nor should trust. This is unfair and dangerous. In the olden days, stereotypes about other ethnicities used to emerge in the same manner. For instance, Jews used to be described as cunning and greedy, hence appeared expressions like «Jewish cunningness». This denigrated an entire ethnic group and contributed to the spread of antisemitism. This is why, it is important to understand that language is not just a set of words; it shapes our attitude to people.

Language changes one’s attitude. If it becomes just and stereotype-free, then society starts not to view people through the prism of prejudice but value them for their actual deeds.