Romany rye, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Romany rye n.

[Rom. rai, a gentleman; best-known through George Borrow’s book Romany Rye (1857)]

a non-gypsy gentleman who associates with gypsies.

1857		G. Borrow [bk title] The Romany Rye.
1882		C.G. Leland Gypsies 121: Being a Romany rye and not accustomed to being spoken of as a Gorgio, I looked up at him angrily.
1906		Yorks. Post 31 Oct. 4/4: Lavengro will always be the principal Romany Rye or gypsy gentleman, in popular esteem.