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Original poster

Would you refer to a younger or old man as chap?

54 replies

voswaa · 30/01/2025 20:35

Having this debate with DH. For me I would use it for an older well to do gentleman but he would use in reference to a younger man.

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mrlistersgelfbride · 30/01/2025 22:46

I'd say the same age as me or older.

NoraLuka · 30/01/2025 22:15

Just realised I never say chap, so called DP old chap as practice and now he’s looking at me funny. Sounds jolly posh to me, I would normally say fella or maybe bloke. If they’re under about 19/20 they’d be a lad.

ICanTellYouMissMe · 30/01/2025 22:10

I mean, maybe @RoamingGnome but it's not the same usage of the word is it! Also feel like chapping doors is more West than East coast?

curious79 · 30/01/2025 22:07

Both, and I use it for our kids, our family. C’mon chaps!

Gowlett · 30/01/2025 22:06

I’d say chap for a man of any age. I use the word often.

Boutonnière · 30/01/2025 22:06

Both - it’s a very useful word in a variety of non formal circumstances

DisforDarkChocolate · 30/01/2025 22:04

Either, and boy children too. I'm fond of this word.

Cheepcheepcheep · 30/01/2025 22:01

My mum works at an all boys school and uses ‘ok chaps!’ as a sub for ‘guys’ or ‘gentlemen’. All interchangeable. In my experience referring to people by a more sophisticated term sets expectations higher. We were always called ‘ladies’ rather than ‘girls’ at school for the same reason, I think.

Createausername1970 · 30/01/2025 21:59

Both.

Default is bloke, but I also use chap, fella, and bod to refer to random males.

Busywithsomething · 30/01/2025 21:58

I don't think the age matters. It's just a general word for a man you don't know.

SereneCapybara · 30/01/2025 21:50

I use it for a group of young men I am in a WhatsApp group with. I happen to be the only woman. They are too old to be called boys, but feel too young to be called gents, which also seems too formal and it's a faff to name them all every time i need to send them a quick message, so I just saying "Hi chaps". It feels a bit odd, but I can't think of a better word.

mollycobb · 30/01/2025 21:47

I do use chap and sure my parents did too, (working class Scottish for the person who said it wasn't used up here) usually with an adjective when referring to someone. Eg that old chap/young chap/tall chap from down the road.

Interchangeable with bloke/guy/lad/loon.

I would only use it to address people in the plural ie come on chaps to the team (male and female).

DreamW3aver · 30/01/2025 21:45

Pretty much anyone can be referred to as chaps, no age connotation. I like it, it should be more widely used

mdinbc · 30/01/2025 21:26

Just out of interest, it is never used here in Canada.

MostHighlyFlavoredGravy · 30/01/2025 21:11

Pemba · 30/01/2025 21:06

I don't use the word myself, my dad does - he's in his eighties. I would feel self conscious using such a dated term really. It seems quaint to me, and I think it'll disappear as in general people younger than my parents' generation don't seem to use it.

I don't think it is supposed to designate younger or older men really, and certainly not how well off they are!

If it disappears (which would be sad IMO), can it take "fella" and "geezer" with it?

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 30/01/2025 21:09

I round up my team with come on chaps or come on gents. No diversity at all they're all male. I'm working on that.

BornSandyDevotional · 30/01/2025 21:09

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 30/01/2025 20:51

I call our cat “a handsome chap” all the time. I would never use the word otherwise, even if I was describing a handsome man (old or young). No idea why!

Our cat is a 'handsome fellow.' Next door's equally wonderful cat is a 'sprightly chap.' 😂

LittleBearPad · 30/01/2025 21:08

Eminybob · 30/01/2025 21:03

Chap means friend to me rather than man.
So I would would refer to my mates as chaps. Male or female.

Same.

RoamingGnome · 30/01/2025 21:06

ICanTellYouMissMe · 30/01/2025 20:36

I would never ever use chap at all. I don't think I've ever heard anyone in Scotland say it?

Not helpful in the context of this thread, sorry 😁 but it just made me realise I don't think it's a thing for Scottish people at all.

Have you never chapped on someone's door?!

Birch101 · 30/01/2025 21:06

Younger

Pemba · 30/01/2025 21:06

I don't use the word myself, my dad does - he's in his eighties. I would feel self conscious using such a dated term really. It seems quaint to me, and I think it'll disappear as in general people younger than my parents' generation don't seem to use it.

I don't think it is supposed to designate younger or older men really, and certainly not how well off they are!

Bloomingnoisyneighbours · 30/01/2025 21:05

I would use chap for any age of guy.
I also refer to guys as " chappie". As in Cheeky Chappie. I don't know how I picked that up because Max Miller was before my time.

Eminybob · 30/01/2025 21:03

Chap means friend to me rather than man.
So I would would refer to my mates as chaps. Male or female.

Pollydoodles · 30/01/2025 21:03

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Aposterhasnoname · 30/01/2025 20:58

Chap is the male equivalent of bird for a woman in my neck of the woods.

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