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AIBU?

To think that describing someone as 'hipster'...

199 replies

ElleMcFearsome · 07/08/2013 09:45

... Is not remotely as derogatory as describing them as 'chavvy'?

Had DHs long term friend and his wife over recently. A mutual friend asked how they were and I said words to the effect of 'oh X (male half of the couple) is utter bliss as ever. I adore him, he's so hipster!' She recoiled in horror and told me that I couldn't use 'hipster' to describe someone as it was as bad as saying someone is 'chavvy' (though, obviously with completely different meanings). FWIW it would never cross my mind to describe someone as 'chavvy' as for me it has unpleasant connotations.

X is in his 40s, I'm late 30s. X works in tech, is v stylish, wears clothing brands that will be fashionable in a years time, is a real muso, can talk for whole minutes about which coffee he prefers, is off beat and cool and adorable and good fun... which equates to hipster in my mind.

MN - am I using the word wrongly? Has 'hipster' acquired a derogatory meaning? Help!

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Doobiedoobedoobie · 07/08/2013 09:47

I don't know the word hipster except in the context of jeans Confused

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Famzilla · 07/08/2013 09:48

I'm 23 and would use hipster as an insult. Then again I am incredibly working class.

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mrsjay · 07/08/2013 09:50

are you all 15 Grin I thought only teenagers used hipster as an insult

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Latara · 07/08/2013 09:50

What is a hipster, some people use it as an insult to describe people who try too hard?

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mrsjay · 07/08/2013 09:51

I don't know the word hipster except in the context of jeans

thats what I thought when i first heard it Blush

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EasterHoliday · 07/08/2013 09:51

it has a slightly mocking tone these days. Read the caitlin moran Saturday Times Mag piece on hipsters from last week - v funny and sums it up. There is somethign more than faintly ridiculous about a grown man who waxes his handlebar moustache in an ironic manner and wears tweed in brick lane, do admit

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ElleMcFearsome · 07/08/2013 09:51

Famzilla - crikey - it can be an insult?! Blimey, I just thought it was a way of describing someone. Erk Sad

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Redlocks30 · 07/08/2013 09:51

I would only use the word in relation to jeans! It sounds like you fancy him tbh!!

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noddyholder · 07/08/2013 09:51

My younger brother is early 30s works in meeja and uses it as an insult. To me its a pair of jeans

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ClassyAsALannister · 07/08/2013 09:51

It depends how you say it I think. Yes, it can be an insult but not if you didn't mean it to be iyswim?

It's not as bad as chav, as chav literally means council house average and implies all sorts of nasty crap about the person.

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limitedperiodonly · 07/08/2013 09:52

I'd use hipster but in a piss-taking way. Perhaps that's what she meant.

BTW from your description, X fits my definition perfectly Wink

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mrsjay · 07/08/2013 09:53

Hipsters around here wear either those massive skip hats and a trendy t shirt or chinos and tweedy jackets . and are all usually under 20

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GalaxyDefender · 07/08/2013 09:53

A lot of people use hipster in a derogatory way, yes. Me included Blush
Generally it's used to mean someone is pretentious, thinks they're better/cooler than everyone else because they like X thing. The sort of person who goes "Oh, you like X? Well I liked them before they hit the mainstream." in a sarky tone of voice, while bemoaning how everyone they like is selling out.
Your DH does sound a bit hipster-y, but minus the pretentiousness Grin

Wouldn't put it on a bar with chavvy, though. While I use both, I use chav when I want to get across my dislike for a person, because I loathe everything the word is associated with (disclaimer: this is different from what most people on here associate with the word, please don't flame me).
Hipster is kind of a love/hate insult and can be used mockingly. But I suppose that depends on the individual persons mental associations with the two terms.

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ElleMcFearsome · 07/08/2013 09:53

Red goodness no! He's DH best mate of 25 years. He has a lovely wife! Doesn't stop him being really good company and a lovely guy.

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GalaxyDefender · 07/08/2013 09:54

*DH's mate, argh. Posted too quickly!

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Offcolour · 07/08/2013 09:54

I use hipster in a derogatory way, to describe the ultra pretentious people hanging about brick lane in ludicrous clothing. Just think Nathan Barley...

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sparechange · 07/08/2013 09:54

'Hipster' is a bit like 'posh'
Some people use it as a mild insult, others wear it as a badge of pride

Chez sparechange, it is the latter, and restuarants/bars/shops will often by ruled out on account of being 'too hipster'
But then we'd probably be ruled out of their target customer list for being too mainstream

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Famzilla · 07/08/2013 09:55

'fraid so! It's quite clear you didn't mean any harm by saying it though. And no, it's not as bad as "council house and violent".

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missmargot · 07/08/2013 09:55

I would always associate the term hipster with being a little pretentious and try hard, probably because there are very few people who genuinely are as you describe but there are an awful lot of people who try desperately to be seen that way.

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thegreylady · 07/08/2013 09:57

I have only heard it relating to jeans. When I was young 'hip' meant trendy and lively it was a compliment. I find the modern habit of adding 'ster' on to words very confusing indeed!

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PrettyKitty1986 · 07/08/2013 09:57

I have never heared of the word. Except, like others, in the sense of the jeans. And i'm not that keen on them either.

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ClassyAsALannister · 07/08/2013 09:59

(I hate the word Chav btw. I sound like a bleeding heart liberal but I think it makes the person using it sound thick/ignorant)

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mrsjay · 07/08/2013 09:59

I have never heard of an adult being called hipster in dds school the hispsters wear the big hats nerd t shirts and love all things geek atm , dds recoils in horror when she sees them but she is only a teenager, I dont think adults should be worried about it being insulting

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ElleMcFearsome · 07/08/2013 09:59

I'm in Shock here. And in danger of turning into my DM who uses, what are to me awful expressions and then says 'oh darling, don't be silly, I didn't meant it in a derogatory sense*!

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Nagoo · 07/08/2013 10:05

Agree it's a bit nobbish but no way near as bad as chavvy and all the connotations that has. I've not seen anyone on Jezza Kyle with ironic glasses and a retro-tache...

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