To not know what a chav actually is/means?

[Chocoholism]

As it says, I first heard this word many years ago and I still don't really know who or what kind if person a chav is? My initial image is the people you mostly see on the Jeremy Kyle show. AIBU or is that right?
Is it now a class or is it a way a person dresses? Apologies if this has been asked before. I haven't debated it ever.

I always thought it meant more money than taste.

But now there seems to have been a sway towards a nastier meaning. Like jeremy kyle fodder.

it is from the Andalucian dialect of spanish, from 'chavale' meaning young boy, used by travelling people, and recently adopted by a wider variety of people to mean 'poorer than us'.
hope that helps.

I always got told it meant council house and violent. It was supposed to be the same as a townie haha :)

no it does not mean 'council housed and violent' or 'cheltenham average' or 'chelsea avenue' or any of that other stuff that is bandied about.
travelling people use 'chavvie' meaning small boy.

It means exactly nothing - because every person you ask will give you a different definition. Making the word meaningless, yet offensive.

Well none of the above apply to how the word chav used where I live. It isn't based on the persons wealth at all.

A chav is someone who is rude, arrogant and obnoxious and dresses in a tacky way.
For example; everything is bedazzled, tracksuit bottoms tucked into Ugg boots as everyday wear.
Pauls Boutique stuff is largely viewed as "chavvy".
Leopard print also can be viewed as such.
Baseball caps under hoods.
Tons and tons of slap.
Huge hoop earrings.
Sports gear when not doing sport.

offensive yes.
my son used to get called a 'chav' in about year three (due to his short blonde hair imo) by some really charming floppy haired children.

I suppose it's what my Nan would have called " common"

I think there's many meanings of chav.

As an example I would describe Kerry Katona as a chav. Or any of the kids in the film Adulthood.

let's face it, it is just a modern and more acceptable way of saying 'common as muck'

nigellas spot on!

I don't think it means common at all. I think you can do things that can be perceived as chavvy. I am sure my family and i do stuff like that.

It wasn't until MN I realised that people found it very offensive.

A person who is simultaneously arrogant and ignorant.

Does it usual? I really didn't think it did. My two DSs look chavvy in their football tops when not playing football but i am not looking down on them IYKWIM.

Watching all the footballers houses on MTV Cribs-some of them are v chavvy-just awful, yet ££££££££s.

thought it was more a taste thing?

Ah ok MrsDV. My understanding is a bit off then.

TBH I haven't heard anyone say it in RL for ages, I don't think the DSs say it-I have not heard them if they have.

Leopard print also can be viewed as such. tick.
Baseball caps under hoods. No, but DP often does.
Tons and tons of slap. tick
Huge hoop earrings. tick
Sports gear when not doing sport. do trainers count? If so, tick.

I have passed the chav test. Where do I collect my certificate?

MrsDevere spot on I think.

Horrible word.

What Nigella said, essentially.

I'm from Essex.

There are many that think for that fact alone that I epitomise it.

I play with that. But basically it's another way to show superiority. Aka judgy ness on here.

Interesting....