Gypsy Day is when sharemilkers move cows from one farm to another. Now the term is coming under scrutiny as offensive to Romani people. Photo / Supplied
Gypsy Day is when sharemilkers move cows from one farm to another. Now the term is coming under scrutiny as offensive to Romani people. Photo / Supplied
The time of the year - May 31 and June 1 - when sharemilkers move to another farm with their cows is traditionally called "Gypsy Day".
A recent Otago Regional Council media release referred to Gypsy Day, but Dunedin city councillor Aaron Hawkins objected, saying the term ''gypsy'' was oftenused as a slur against Roma people.
Council officials later said the term was still commonly used in farming circles, but because of its ''undertones'', the council would not use it in future.
Our recent poll has struck a nerve on Facebook with rural people taking to social media to air their views about their annual tradition.
From Wikipedia: The English term gipsy or gypsy is a common word used to indicate Romani people, Tinkers and Travellers, and use of the word gipsy in modern-day English is so pervasive (and is a legal term under English law) that some Romani organisations use it in their own organisational names. However, according to many Romani people and academics who study them, the word has been tainted by its use as a racial slur and a pejorative connoting illegality and irregularity, and some modern dictionaries either recommend avoiding use of the word gypsy entirely or give it a negative or warning label.
Most readers didn't think the name was offensive, with some saying things like "We have become a pack of sooks pandering to every fringe view".
Another said "when a gypsy complains then we can talk".
