to find it strange how some MN's are SO offended by the word Chav

[falolenhard]

Chav:
meaning a lower-class person who displays brash and loutish behavior and wears real or imitation designer

Snob:
A person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors

Both these terms are derogatory.
So why is it ok to call someone a snob (I bet nobody would say a word and it wouldn't get pulled)- but not a chav on here?

To be offended by one and not the other is a form of Inverted Snobbery?

Wow. I wonder which thread inspired this.

Given that a) this is a TAAT then it's clearly breaking Talk Guidelines and b) I was the one who found the word extremely offensive on the other thread I do wonder how much of a coward this OP is not to have the balls to say something directly to me on the other thread.

I'm from a very working class family. I'm not middle class now, nor do I aspire to be so that knocks that bollocks on the head.

I do find the word offensive. It's a nasty little label that people use online or behind people's backs. The difference is that you wouldn't call someone a chav to their face - it's a sneery name that you would call someone as you judge them on their baby's name/their clothing/hair/make up/tattoo/whether they get their baby's ears pierced.

it is only ever used as an insult - look the Baby Name board for evidence - and an extremely judgemental one at that.

I think the most common denominator of the different meanings of Chav would be Vulgar (loud, brash, flashy)?

But Whiskwarrior - A Chav KNOWS they are being such and revel in the Chavness!!

Of course it's a label - all words are!

Oh for gods sake get a grip - it's not just used online, people use the chav word in RL all the time, it really just means a bit common.

Oh and I am from a very working class family too - lived most of my life in Council House. I currently live in the cheapest house we could buy in Inner City (Southampton).

Plenty of Chavs around here, believe me.

Well shakey you have words you don't like and are vocal enough about that, talk about double standards!

No maybe they are being how they want to be how their friends and family are and thinking nothing of it yet some like to look down on their way of dressing and behaviour, which unless is harmful to others what is the need to judge

I like BMW6's definition of chav as 'vulgar'.

But then vulgar is a matter of taste.

Chav is not an offensive word. C**t is. There's no argument there.

BMW I have the tan, eyelashes tattoos and staffy.

I'm north east and it's not really an insult just an expression. I think it's more the way it's aid which might not on mn come across as a poster intended.

I hate the word. Teenagers definitely use it to write off a section of other teenagers who they look down on. I imagine employers do so too.
Stereotypes don't generally have a positive outcome - whether that of snob or chav. Funnily enough though the people labelled "snob" have enough advantages to overcome the insult!

Not so shakey. You might not use it as an offensive word but others do.

My point is that when other people complain about a word they are the PO brigade. But not when you do.

That's double standards in my opinion.

I'm up north, and it's used in quite affectionate terms up here, it's not a compliment, but it's not really used in a nasty way. It's only on MN that I have ever heard anyone offended by it. Maybe it's just southerners' that use it offensively.

Shakethetree

When did you last use the word to someone's face? I suspect the answer to that will be never.

And I also didn't say it was only used online. I said online (by really brave people like you!) or behind someone's back.

Personally speaking I don't give a crap where someone comes from. However if they loudly swear in public, throw litter, spit and treat others disrespectfully, then chav is a good word for them.

is there another word we could use instead of chav?

My mother used to call people (especially) men 'urks' (erks?), meaning they were loutish and rude and slobby.

There are loads of words I wouldn't use to someone's face, including overweight, middle aged, dishevelled and many more. Those words aren't offensive in themselves.

Chav pretty much precludes the face to face use, as the only people I would ever use it about are the type to get aggressive and I'm not going to rattle that cage.

Exactly Maryz.

Also, as no one seems to have a definite idea of what a chav actually is (always falling back on dictionary definitions) other than how they define it themselves, doesn't that further imply that it's an insult that people use to describe someone lower than them?

I just can't get worked up about the term chav and I am easily offended

Jeez what is you're problem? I couldn't give a flying fuck if you're a chav or Kate Middleton - get over yourself.

Words have a lot of different levels of use. Using it as a shorthand for someone in lots of Burberry - mildly mocking but not really harmful. Labelling everyone from a local estate as being a chav when you're sifting through job applications - very harmful indeed.

Shake

You're just lovely to engage with, aren't you? Is it possible for you to have a reasonable discussion or do you always react like this? Given that I've never spoken to you before, why are you so wound up by me?

'Get over myself'? Because I find the word chav offensive? Bit much, don't you think?

And 'Nanny', Derek. Anything other Gran or Grandma, apparently.

Also, character clothing, named greetings cards, etc, etc.

It's a minefield.