Could someone explain what I did wrong here?

[wildblowingleaves]

I was talking to a colleague earlier about a work experience student in another department and couldn't remember their name. As I was talking someone from that department came over and I said "ooh, hello - what is the name of that new chap in your department?"

The people I was with shrieked, gasped, laughed and look horrified and were all - "I can't BELIEVE you did that!"

Erm, what did I do?

Are they a woman?

I have no idea

I reckon your top had come undone and your nipple was poking through your bra - because i can't see anything remotely funny in anything you actually said!

You should have asked them!

Was it the new person you asked?

Beats me

Maybe they misheard and thought you said chav?

Why didnt you ask

I'm guessing it was a woman.

But why didn't you just ask?

You've got me there Riddler.

Why didn't you ask them?

Dunno, what did you do?

?

Was the person who came over from that department someone who people wouldn't normally approach because of their seniority/arrogance/bad attitude?

Do you have an accent that makes the word "chap" sounds like "crap"?

I suspect you didn't say "chap" and said something REALLY offensive instead.

Yes - sounds like they might have misheard your 1950's 'chap' & thought you said 'chav'??

Like others I'm wondering why you didn't ask them. Met with that reaction I would have thought that would be the first thing you'd do. I'm baffled why you'd ask people on the internet instead of the people who were actually there tbh.

Either they misheard you and the word they heard was very insulting, or the 'chap' is actually a woman.

Do you know the answer? Or are we guessing suggestions?

My guess is its a woman.

Chap misheard as chav or the chap is actually a woman seem most likely.

No, he is definitely a man and I doubt they misheard me. 'Chav' isn't the sort of word I would use anyway and besides the W/E chap is definitely non chavvy - quite posh.

I suppose I should have asked but I was really quite embarrassed. Sorry if I have baffled you but it's been playing in my head all day, I'm not always wonderful at saying exactly the right thing at the right moment.

Alexa, no I have no idea, that's why I asked.

Maybe they have the same name as your hubby or son?

I have neither husband or son.

Probably just trying to make me look stupid. Oh well.