Origins of the slang word Pikey

[wheeldon]

An, it does seem such a shame that people feel the need to hide their heritage due to racism.

I just wanted to let you know that I've been surfing for Wood boatpeople in Staffs and there seems to be a lot of info out there with a lot of people doing research.  Looks like the Wood family were from a long line of boatpeople in the Staffordshire area. I'm not sure if I will find my Joseph as he was born before 1800 but it's interesting reading.

[An65]

Well now, thats great news. Good luck!

[scrimnet]

It's quite interesting how this word has "migrated"....

My daughter refers to "townies" (ie the town centre rif raf locals who hang around in groups) as Pikeys...much as I admonish her!!! She's 16, and it's common parlence amongst her peers...

We in the village where I grew up called the tinkers and early new agers as "didikois"....We never referred to the gypsies as anything other than that or "the Romany" I did understand that a "didi" was a half blood even then!! Funny...the Romany were never blamed for mess...That was blamed on the "new agers"!

We always respected the Romany as the repository of all the old folk songs and tunes that many had lost or forgotten. Many a fine song/tunesmith could be found  at the camps...