hotchi-witchi, n.
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈhɒtʃiˌwɪtʃi/, U.S. /ˈhɑtʃiˌwɪtʃi/
Forms: 18– hotchi-witchi, 18– hotchi-witchu nonstandard.
Etymology: < English Romani hóčiwiči, probably < the English Romani word corresponding to Welsh Romani určos ( < urch- (in English urchin n.) + Welsh Romani -os, suffix forming nouns, frequently used to assimilate borrowings) + a second element of uncertain origin, either an arbitrary extension or perhaps a derivative of Romani veš forest, woods ( < Middle Persian wešag forest; Persian beša, (in Iran) bīšae), probably with influence from English -y suffix1.
Among Gypsies: the hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus.
1843 G. Borrow Zincali (ed. 2) I. i. v. 98 They [sc. gypsies] have been seen..to roast hotchiwitchu or hedgehog.
1884 N. Hellis Gipsy Jan i. 14 Hotchi-witchi!..An' we ain't tasted one fur weeks.
1928 Sunday Dispatch 2 Sept. 3/3 The gypsies call the animal ‘Hotchi witchu’, we speak of him as the hedgehog.
1972 R. Godden Diddakoi i. 16 She had a dim remembrance of eating hedgehog—‘hotchi-witchi’ Gran called it.
2005 S. Greenwood Nature of Magic iv. 68 For Jasper, being indigenous does not concern having roots in the land..but of..fairies or bitti foki as well as stuffed toys (a great favourite was hedgehogs (hotchiwitchis) and worms).
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