AIBU to think that the word chav is crass and overused in this talk section?

I just think it's rather disingenuous to assert that 'posh' is as hurtful a term as 'chav' (I can't imagine 'poncey' ever being used as anything other than an insult, though do correct me if I'm wrong!).

Mama, but a lot of mumsnetters DO use the word 'posh' or 'poncey' in a negative fashion.

I see your point, but the difference is that I wouldn't use 'posh' in a derogatory fashion. I would use it in place of 'upper-class', whereas 'chav' is not generally used to describe the lower classes, rather someone who dresses/behaves in a certain manner.

Deliberately being provocative, but you can see where I'm coming from - yah!!

LOL florence

YANBU. I can't bear the word 'posh'. A hideous example of modern class hatred made socially acceptable by popular usage.

I do, however use the word 'chav'... but probably because I expect I am what some of you would call a 'posho'!

You see, that is a really good point MamaLazarou.

Without knowing someone's backround and tastes, their comments on our choice of name/clothing/style is meaningless, isn't it?

They are unlikey to share our tastes in anything, let alone names.

But I still don't understand why we feel this need to 'label' and 'categorise' names?

YANBU. I can't bear the word 'chav'. A hideous example of modern class hatred made socially acceptable by popular usage.

I do, however use the word 'posh'... but probably because I expect I am what some of you would call a 'chav'!

It means 'you are not being unreasonable'

Can someone enlighten me as to what Yanbu means?!

ha ha florence2511!

Bethany and Ciaran are lovely names. One is a bible name and a place in Israel I think, and the other is an Irish name. Anybody who labels these names chav needs to rein in their judgment imo,,,

but at the same time, I do feel an aversion to certain names!! how fair is it?! Kaden, Kai, neveah, something inside my brain goes bleep. I can't really help it.

Good point florence !

Especially the connotation that being 'posh' is undesirable...

AIBU to think that the word Posh is crass and overused in this talk section?

Posh and Poncey, and they are always used by the same class of poster
Am I the only one sick of seeing this?

Discuss...

I'm really sorry for my use of the word. It was judgmental. I didn't mean to sound arrogant (I did sound arrogant), I guess I had other issues with the names and was too inarticulate and crass to voice that correctly. I have a name that is hideous and would definitely be deemed 'chav' by people using that term. So maybe some self-reflective issues there too. Apologies to anyone I offended.

I'm at some of the recent threads on here.

Weird.

It does. It sounds fabulous.

The Swiss teachers I spoke to recently were utterly bewildered by our education system. In their area everyone just goes to the local schools, which are all pretty good and much of a muchness. No catchment areas, choice, faith schools, private schools blah blah. Sounded blissfully uncomplicated.

Just to confirm what Annabelsmummie said - I am British but have lived in Germany for the past 5 years. There is MUCH less concern here for social class than there is in the UK.

It's hard to explain, but until you stop living in the UK you don't realise how much preoccupation there is with how you are perceived socially, and with how you perceive others.

I wouldn't deny that people don't look up to, or down upon other members of society - I think that's human nature - but it's not as embroiled with class as it is in the UK. It's more judging on people's actions rather than on people's background.

However, immigrants from certain countries are definitely looked down on, at least in the area that I live. That doesn't depend on how wealthy or educated they are - it's a clear-cut racial issue. It's the closest thing to a 'lower class' I can think of here and frankly, it's a bit of an elephant in the room.

So, no, Germany isn't perfect - but it really doesn't have the same class issues as the UK.

I agree with you BarakObamasTransitVan, my Mum considered the name Carrie-Anne for me, and her friend burst out laughing and said what like carry on? you can't do that!

I am extremely grateful to that woman who was so rude to my Mum 39 years ago.

When I say 'oh that name is sometimes perceived negatively' it's not meant to hurt the op, it's meant to give them a heads up!

fwiw I just re-read my post and think I sound a bit twattish! Also fashions change so fast that I think it's nigh on impossible to predict the prejudices a name will conjour up in 15 years time.
(getting so tangled up in my own snobbery here that I'm not sure where I am) there's something very posh about a person with a supposedly "chavvy" name not living up to it, iyswim.
Oh my - I am a class-bound arse

I loathe the expression "chav" annd people who use it are generally being twattish but weirdly Baby Names is the one section where I don't find it quite so offensive. When people ask for opinions on names they effectively ask how their baby might be preceived in later life if they name her [insert name]. Others respond that people'll will think she's a chav (or words to that effect).
I'm not convinced btw that all other European countries are that much less hung up on class than we are - but perhaps their names are slightly less bound up with it.

It sounds great Annabelsmummie and Cory. I wish I were Swedish or German.

MaggieBruja, of course there are differences in German dialects - there are loads of (very ) strong local accents (from Bavarian to 'Berlinerish'). But these ARE NOT based on class, rather on the region someone lives in. And people are very proud of their heritage, whether from the deepest Black Forest or East Germany and are generally proud of their accents!

And of course, some people are more educated than others. Not everyone will be able to go to University. And of course some people have more money and bigger houses.

BUT those on lower income/living in less affluent areas are NOT 'classed' as being inferior or belonging to a lower class. As all children go to the local state school (including me when growing up), you make friends from all walks of life and the income/house issue really is not that important. Really!

And for all these reasons, names are not regarded as beloning to any class - the concept simply does not exist. Names might be regarded as old fashioned or trendy, but a name would certainly not be described as 'pretensious' or 'chavvy'! The whole concept simply does not exist.

The government occupation tables only play a tiny part. It's all about background and culture in reality.

i named my eldest son Chav, he has a sister chicane and a brother sebastian thomas gruber the second.