Pikey

[melv]

Where does the term Pikey originate from, and what does it stand for?

[woofgang]

In the New Forest, "pikey" is a rude term for a Gypsy. Don't know its origin, but be careful where you use it

[Quizmonster]

In past times, roads were sometimes called 'turnpikes'...they still often are in the USA. Consequently, a 'turnpiker' was someone who roamed along these roads, as a sort of traveller/vagabond. That in turn was abbreviated to 'pikey' or 'piky', which has meant a gipsy - as the earlier answer says - since the mid-1800s.

[honkytonkman]

Just want to add that these days pikey is generally used to define someone who is classed as an undesirable, a rogue; dodgy, 'skanky', shifty, not particularly law-abiding...

[mikewith]

What it has come to mean now is an insulting term for the shellsuit/ cheap jewellery/ badly-dyed hair/ fake Burberry-wearing, slightly malnourished-looking, skanky types that you'll see next time you step out on to the high street. Or that's how it's been explained to me.

[whiskygalore]

Round my way, 'pikey' is just another word for 'common'. Except if you call someone common, you're termed a snob, if you call someone pikey, people think it's hilarious.

[woofgang]

Must be regional then, as I said before, here it is a term of ethnic abuse and can get you into serious trouble if used in the wrong pub

[gazzawazza]

Am I the only person who is always amazed how long these terms have been in use?

I thought this was a "new" term, in fact the first time I ever heard it was on the film "Snatch!"

[andjac]

I'll second that gazza

[darth vader]

Made famous by "Snatch" but a common term (in my case, for an Irish gypsy - same as in the film). For god sake never call an Irish gypsy a pikey if you want to see another dawn.....