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?

I only let my kids play with children who say 'grandmother'.

Your kids wouldn't be allowed near mine, Morris - we say Grandmama, or Grandmater around her.

:)

I get called a snob all the time I don't really mind I would hate to be called a chav maybe that's what makes me a snob lol

It's an interesting one. I use this word, not to stereotype people who I perceive as lower than me (don't think I've ever perceived anyone that way), but to describe a thing or a behaviour. It's semantics but it does make a difference.

So rather than say "everyone with this hairstyle is a chav", I might describe that specific hairstyle as chavvy. There is a difference iyswim?

I do think that effing and blinding in front of kids is chavvy behaviour, which could in turn mean that person is a chav. But I wouldn't then assume that that person also lives on a council estate, or is on benefits, etc - because those things do not make one a chav. Equally, anyone from any socioeconomic background could exhibit chavvy traits. I don't assume that those from poorer backgrounds are more likely to behave this way. It's not about background or wealth at all in my eyes.

We call them neds in Scotland. It conjures up a picture of a youth with a number 1, in a track suit, swigging tennents on the street in the middle of the day. Where he lives however doesn't come into it.

A good example for me is I saw a baby photo (18 months or so) the other day. With gold stud earrings. Instantly the word chavvy popped into my head, that's how it looked. No assumptions as to wealth or background however - I was the baby.

Wow. You saw a picture of a baby and thought 'chav' - that says more about you than anyone else.

FWIW I don't like earrings on babies but that wouldn't be my first thought.

I bet if Prince Harry got mullered, and hung about the loos in edge hams shouting cunt poshly into his mobile no one would describe him as a chav though.

It's definitely got class connotations.

Debenhams

YANBU. I once used the word 'chavvy' on a baby names thread and that apparently gave a couple of posters the right to rudely insult me without having to justify their argument.

Of course it has class connotations. Even earlier when someone mentioned it has nothing to do with class they mentioned rich people such as the Rooneys and the Beckhams - none of whom were born into money were they?

And Prince Harry does get mullered, doesn't he? Dresses like a Nazi for fun, but people brush it off as a bit of a lark because he doesn't know any better. Wonder what the reaction would be if Wayne Rooney did the same, for a laugh.

:o at edge hams.

No Harold, he would be called eccentric and everyone would guffaw merrily.

I think most people were pretty horrified by what Prince Harry did. I didn't see anyone brushing it off as a 'bit of a lark'.

He didn't really do that Vintage that we know of.

Whisk - I saw a picture of me as a baby and thought the earrings were chavvy.

There is a big distinction between calling a person a chav, and describing a thing as chavvy.

Oh sorry! I see you were responding to Whisk.

Whoops.

Yes he did Molly. He had to apologise publicy for what he did. No one was amused.

Molly.

x post.

And he was banned from debenhams for a loooong time.

Slithy - not really because when I was called a chav (on another thread awhile back) it was because my son wears character clothing. I was told it was the clothing that was chavvy, but that makes the wearer chavvy by association, surely?

I think it's a bit slippery to say 'oh, I don't call people chavvy, just actions.

Ok I have no idea what 'class' the kardashians are, I know they were born into wealth though.

But I think the earrings on North West the Person, look chavvy. Vulgar, cheap, and other unpleasant adjectives.

Does that make the baby a chav? Of course not!

Yes, he certainly did dress like a Nazi, the twat.

I thought you meant no one cared that he was drunk in Debenhams loos.

Then why not just use vulgar or cheap? Why resort to chav as your first port of call?

It's not slippery at all. I don't automatically distinguish a person by one behaviour. It would be a closed minded person who did.

Track suits as fashion - chavvy.
Croydon facelifts - chavvy

Person wearing the above - fitting in with what's popular?

I like Debenhams - especially the Dyson airblade dryer in the toilets