backpacker_x2's definitions

traveller

1. British term used to refer collectively to two separate traditionally-nomadic groups found in the UK: Irish Travellers (also known as Pavee, tinkers and pikeys) and Romani (also known as Roma, Romany, Romanichals, Romnichals and Kale). The term is used to replace the traditional term "gypsy", which is now considered offensive by some. The term refers to members of these two groups regardless of whether they actually live a nomadic or sedentary lifestyle.

2. A term used by people who are travelling away from home, but have distaste for the terms "tourist" and "holidaymaker". Travellers are often said to be distinct from tourists/holidaymakers due to the fact that they travel for longer periods of time, seeing a variety of places in one trip, and make an effort to experience the real spirit of the places they visit, rather than just tourist resorts. Those who self-describe as travellers are also often travelling on a tighter budget than traditional tourists, staying in hostels rather than hotels. A roughly synonymous term is "backpacker".

1. Although the Romani and the Irish Travellers have very different histories and cultures, the majority of the British population are unaware of existence of two distinct groups, and consider both to be "gypsies" or "travellers".

2. The great thing about staying in hostels is the opportunity to meet and hang out with other travellers, from all over the world.

by backpacker_x2 February 18, 2011

gyppo

Originally a derogatory term for Romani people, who were known by the British population as gypsies because it was falsely believed that they originated from Egypt.

With the arrival of Irish Travellers in Britain, the terms "gyppo" and "gypsy" were also applied to these people.

Nowadays the term "gyppo", like "pikey", is often used as an insult to refer to anyone who is perceived to be poor, dirty, smelly and/or inclined to theft.

You're a dirty fucking gyppo!

by backpacker_x2 February 18, 2011

bohemian

A vague term used to refer to people who live some sort of "alternative", often artistic lifestyle. The term is associated - although not exactly synonymous - with the term hippie. The term originally came to be used in this sense in 19th century France, in an attempt to liken non-conventional artist types to Romani (gypsies), who the French associated with Bohemia in Central Europe (today part of the Czech Republic).

1. I went to this really cool, bohemian café in Barcelona, full of hippies and Rastas.

2. Jeff thinks he's some sort of bohemian, but really he's just a massive waster.

by backpacker_x2 February 18, 2011

Brainfeeder

Brainfeeder is a musical collective and record label based in California, USA. Its output is generally innovative music based in hip-hop and electronica, though often avoiding precise pigeon-holing. Flying Lotus is generally considered to be the group's leader. The Brainfeeder sound is associated with the terms wonky, glitch and glitch-hop, though it is often simply referred to as beat music or just beats.

Artists associated with Brainfeeder include Flying Lotus, Gonjasufi, The Gaslamp Killer, Tokimonsta, Ras G, Lorn, Teebs, Samiyam, Daedelus and Mono/Poly.

by backpacker_x2 March 27, 2011

multicultural

<adjective> Containing or pertaining to more than one culture.

1. London's a really multicultural city: only about half the population are "White British" and some 300 different languages are spoken by inhabitants of the city!

2. My dad's Greek and my mum's half-Chinese, half-Iroquois, and I was raised in South Africa but went to university in Switzerland, so I guess I'm pretty multicultural!

by backpacker_x2 February 21, 2011

Third Culture Kid

A person who's personal "culture" is a fusion of two or more cultures to which s/he was exposed during childhood. Often abbreviated to TCK.
Third Culture Kids are often multilingual, very accepting and understanding of other cultures and good at adapting to new environments.
Third Culture Kids are most commonly the children of members of the military, international businessmen or diplomats, though the term can also be applied to the children of immigrants.

Notable TCKs include:
Barack Obama (Anglo-American mother, Nigerian father; raised in Hawai'i and Indonesia)
Kim Jong-il (Korean parents; raised in USSR, North Korea and China)
Keanu Reeves (English mother, American father; raised in Lebanon, Australia, USA and Canada)
Pete Docherty (British parents; raised in Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and England)

Third Culture Kid: "My parents are Japanese and I was raised in France, so my culture is a third culture, a fusion of the Japanese and French cultures!"

by backpacker_x2 February 21, 2011

backpacker

1. A person who travels independently, typically on a low budget, usually staying in hostels or with locals rather than in hotels. Usually aged between 18 and 30 but can be older. Backpackers often travel for several months at a time, and do not consider their trip to be a "holiday". Due to the fact that backpacking was popularized by the hippie movement in the 1960s, there is some association of backpackers with aspects of counterculture.

2. A fan of certain types of "alternative" hip-hop. When used as a derogatory term, it can imply that the individual is suburban/middle class and listens to "nerd rap" rather than "real rap". When used as a neutral term of description, it can imply that the individual listens to thought-provoking, original, intellectual hip-hop. The term is especially associated with fans of the record label Definitive Jux.

1. "Last night I went out for a spliff with a bunch of Australian backpackers I met in a club, they were pretty cool guys."

2. "Oh I'm not really into that whole artsy backpacker scene, I prefer straight-up rap music, stuff like 2Pac and N.W.A."

by backpacker_x2 January 27, 2011