chav - please someone explain what this means!

[Detta]

I keep seeing this word all over the place - and have a vague idea what it means, but don't really know! Please can someone enlighten me? (I'm sure if I wasn't a SAHM I would know this

[Lonelymum]

I think some people see this as a contentious question Detta, but I will do my best to enlighten you although I asked the same question myself not long ago and there was a huge row going on about it and I think people thought I was stirring it up.

I think a chav is a bit like Essex girl or Essex man (oh boy I can see trouble brewing now) someone who wears showy clothes and jewellery but has no taste at all.

[Twiglett]

chav

[maltesers]

if you have teenagers they will tell you . I think it means you are a towny kind of person who wears baseball caps, Reebok trainers, and are have little taste. omg i am sounding like a snob.!

[juniperdewdrop]

ROFLMAO at that site and at the Beckhams being off the scale!!!

[Caligula]

Here's a link to a very heated thread which has many definitions!

angry chav thread

[Detta]

Thanks! I was on the right lines then!

[Amanda3266]

Have to say I think the term chav was invented by middle class journalists as until I started seeing the term in the newspapers I'd never heard of it. Now you can't move for the word.

[Newbarnsleygirl]

When I was at school Chav was used by the girls to describe a boy they really liked, like "He's a right chav" and the boys would use Beau for girls!

[MarsLady]

Have you clicked on Twigs link? I went to name your chav baby. My daughter would be Jodie Sapphire and my son Elvis Kai. lol

[highlander]

it's been around in Newcastle for years. Generally used to describe thieving low-life who live in Fenham, Byker, Blyth etc etc. Before you Geordies start having a go at me, that's how a local described chav to me!

Chavs love to dress in the Burberry check, known in Newcastle as Chavva Tartan

[highlander]

OMG,OMG,OMG have just read the angry chav thread and realised my comments could re-ignite the whole arguement. Sorry, sorry, don't mean to offend anyone

[paolosgirl]

We have neds here in Scotland. The only difference is they are not as classy as chavs. That gives you an idea - by the way, man (to use the patois)

[nightowl]

there's no harm in asking what a word means. preferable to read the other thread though perhaps

[givenupforlent]

There's a chav programme on tv on Monday (poss channel 4)