| | Our English name of ''Gypsy'' stems from the word ''Egyptian'', as many believed that their darker skin tones indicated an Egyptian origin. | | Our English name of ''Gypsy'' stems from the word ''Egyptian'', as many believed that their darker skin tones indicated an Egyptian origin. |
| − | Yet as regards the origins of the name ''Sigynnae'' most commonly coming to the English world through [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] ''Histories'', the English speaker is often left in doubt concluding that "The Sigynnae were an obscure people of antiquity. They are variously located by ancient authors."<ref>Wikipedia, ''Sigynnae'', 16 January 2021</ref>. But a quick panorama of Europe's language groups shows there is no doubt as to who these people were. For the vast majority of European language groups maintain variations synonymous with [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] '''Sigynnae''' (Greek: Σιγὐννας, Si-gy-nas)<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, a term that 5th-century Greeks equated as being synonymous with "hucksters", small trader, which would be most consistent with stereotypical depictions of this cultural group. You will find this view presented below in the section ''Language Group Examples''. | + | Yet as regards the origins of the name ''Sigynnae'' most commonly coming to the English world through [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] ''Histories'', the English speaker is often left in doubt concluding that "The Sigynnae were an obscure people of antiquity. They are variously located by ancient authors."<ref>Wikipedia, ''Sigynnae'', 16 January 2021</ref> But a quick panorama of Europe's language groups shows there is no doubt as to who these people were. For the vast majority of European language groups maintain variations synonymous with [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] '''Sigynnae''' (Greek: Σιγὐννας, Si-gy-nas)<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, a term that 5th-century Greeks equated as being synonymous with "hucksters", small trader, which would be most consistent with stereotypical depictions of this cultural group. You will find this view presented below in the section ''Language Group Examples''. |
| | [[Herodotus]] also notes that their name was used in [[Cyprus]] for "spears".<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref> On this point Sir J. L. Myres stated that there must have been a connection between what is known as the "Sigynna Spear" (a thin bladed throwing spear produced amidst the iron-working culture of [[Hallstatt]], Austria) and this cultural group: the implication naturally alludes to an arms trade and an explanation of why the Cyprians used their name such. | | [[Herodotus]] also notes that their name was used in [[Cyprus]] for "spears".<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref> On this point Sir J. L. Myres stated that there must have been a connection between what is known as the "Sigynna Spear" (a thin bladed throwing spear produced amidst the iron-working culture of [[Hallstatt]], Austria) and this cultural group: the implication naturally alludes to an arms trade and an explanation of why the Cyprians used their name such. |