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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.

OP posts:
Grako · 30/01/2025 20:57

I call everyone chap. Young, middle aged, older. Any nationality. It's a lovely moniker

Oneflewovermydogsbed · 30/01/2025 20:55

Both but out of interest when would you refer to a female as a woman rather than a girl?

MissyB1 · 30/01/2025 20:54

Any age! When ds was little I used to call him "my little chap".

Onlyvisiting · 30/01/2025 20:54

Neither or either. Its not age related, just makes me cringe. I'd expect it from my parent generation at most, and I i think it is both pretentious and it's generally in a slightly patronising way ie 'what a jolly nice chap'.

FlatErica · 30/01/2025 20:53

Both.

StormingNorman · 30/01/2025 20:53

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I love cove! It’s not used often enough.

ICanTellYouMissMe · 30/01/2025 20:51

I once read a book where the protagonist consistently referred to her her husband and son as 'my chaps' and it just felt so...implausible.

I don't know if anyone would really speak like that. It irritated me so much!

StormingNorman · 30/01/2025 20:51

All ages. I also call women chaps. It’s an equal opportunities term of endearment for me, like guys.

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!

coldcallerbaiter · 30/01/2025 20:50

Both and in any case you could say young or old chap. I have heard of wee chap for a baby.

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 30/01/2025 20:50

All ages…. I might specify old chap or young chap, but it could be any age.

Octavia64 · 30/01/2025 20:49

Both.

Pollydoodles · 30/01/2025 20:49

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BornSandyDevotional · 30/01/2025 20:48

It's a really innocuous term, I think. 'This/that/the chap' is totally fine with me, regardless of age. To be honest, it's a lot better than 'guy.' I also think 'fella' is okay though. Or just 'man.' why has this caused discord? Unless chap has a loaded meaning I'm unaware of! 🤔

excelledyourself · 30/01/2025 20:47

Neither. Can't stand it.

festivemouse · 30/01/2025 20:45

I would say chap to both of them! Bloody love the word chap 😂 and clarify by saying old chap / young chap if talking to someone else.

bridgetreilly · 30/01/2025 20:44

Both.

Sinkintotheswamp · 30/01/2025 20:43

Both. I'm 50.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 30/01/2025 20:42

Both. Bloke, chap, fella - they're neither young nor old.

Mangoesintoapub · 30/01/2025 20:42

All ages, one of my favourite words.

user1471453601 · 30/01/2025 20:41

Well, id probably refer to a male in their 50/60 s as a bloke. A young man, in my eyes, as a young bloke. A very young man as A young man.

But if I knew the person in question, I'd refer to them by their name.

MostHighlyFlavoredGravy · 30/01/2025 20:41

Both! But only in a positive (or neutral) context. If saying something negative I'd use bloke (but bloke can be positive too - I'd say someone is a top bloke if they were also a lovely chap Grin)

FluentinSimlish · 30/01/2025 20:39

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.

I work in a prison and often use “chap” for all ages

CustardySergeant · 30/01/2025 20:39

I've never used the word chap in my entire life. I'm 70 and live in East Sussex just in case anyone wonders if region or age are a factor.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 30/01/2025 20:37

Either. Both. Or perhaps neither as it's not in my vocabulary. I don't think it denotes any particular age.

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