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

[ElleMcFearsome]

... 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!

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

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

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

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

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

thats what I thought when i first heard it

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

A lot of people use hipster in a derogatory way, yes. Me included
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

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.

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.

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

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

'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

'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".

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.

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!

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.

(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)

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

I'm in 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*!

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...