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It is the term used for illegal off the book cabs, and Gypsy is actually used by some Romany organisations.

Shortening the name to(I wont repeat it) is a slur and possibly a slur depandant on how its used similar to the shortening of Pakistani is a slur but the full name isn't.

I understand what you mean, but please see the link I posted in the comment you're replying to. Consensus on Wikipedia says otherwise. Also, personally I think using the name of an ethnic group to mean an illegal activity is not good.

Is it?

They're Romany Gypsies? Sure this usage may be offensive, but certain usages of Jew are probably offensive.

Further, I assume pink gypsy potatoes and gypsy moth planes aren't racial slurs?

I live in a country that is full of them, and yes, it is.

The potatoes, the planes, or the people?

We don't have these other words in our language so I don't know

http://varieties.ahdb.org.uk/varieties/view/Pink%20Gypsy

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.60_Moth

I'd usually say jokingly "what are you gonna do, call the police?" but that's an actual issue these days so whatever

Why not just "thanks, I didn't know that" ?