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?

Chavvy. Not chav.

Because it's as good as any other word.

And I don't see why me describing a fashion choice my parents made for me as a baby, offends others.

Nonsese Harold, he would never be banned.

The would designate him a royal cubical with a fully stocked a mini bar and a selection of offensive costumes designed by Debenhams.

I love the term 'chavtastic"

Slow, sarcastic hand clap for cheesepuff

Nope, P Harry would be called a 'Hooray Henry'.
The Upper class version of a Chav.
Only more socially acceptable...

Chavvy means the same as vulgar or cheap Warrior, not really sure what your point is?

Chavvy does not mean vulgar or cheap. It's an insult. Which is why social commentators have written about the use of the word and how wrong it is.

Chavvy to me is common, vulgar, rough of character.
Not necessarily cheap in money terms but certainly cheap in taste.

I would consider vulgar and cheap an insult.

And I agree with gertie's definition. It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with attitude and behaviour.

When a social commentator writes a column or puts out a book on the use of the word 'vulgar' and how damaging it is to the working classes, I'll pay some special attention to it.

As that has yet to happen...

But go ahead and justify your use of the word anyway.

I'm with gertie too - when I use chav it's not to do with money but to do with attitude. I have known rich and poor chavs! And have some as relatives.
People who live in council houses aren't automatically chavs! To me its poor tacky taste.
Things mn hate are chavvy - baby showers, grabby wedding listsetc.

Well, isn't this going just like the other thread?

I'm not going to back down or change my mind. It doesn't matter how many posters want to keep telling me there's nothing wrong with the word or why they use it.

I keep giving my reasons for disagreeing with its usage and then someone else comes along and spouts the exact same nonsense as the previous 10 posters.

It's boring.

You don't need to change your mind. But neither does anyone else.

Language evolves to have different meanings and when that happens it becomes subjective.

I can accept it offends you, and maybe you can accept I don't describe earrings on babies as chavvy to try and cause offence?

The other thread derailed, it should have been about the wonderment of dyson blades IMO.

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.
Slithy, he sure as hell doesn't live in Morningside! Of course where he lives comes into it.
Chav gets used here as well as Ned. Neds must be one of the most depressing films ever.

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

You got me! :)
This was why I started this topic.
It amazed me that the poster of the Debenhams topic made some really good points, but was hauled over the coals because she used the word chav

This thread has made me want to buy "Chavs: the demonization of the working classes" off amazon.

A ned could live on Byres road just as easily as in easterhouse. I know, I saw enough of them out of my window.

Chavvy does not mean vulgar or cheap. It's an insult. Which is why social commentators have written about the use of the word and how wrong it is.

Over-thinking it a bit methinks.

I agree that the word Chavvy has replaced calling someone common or cheap.

For the record, I grew up on a council estate, but I remember my 'council house' mother looking down on some people, because they didn't have any standards....eg swearing, drinking too much, not dressing their children adequately, no manners etc.
If she was in this 'day and age' she would have called them Chavs!

So, even we Council house 'lot' have standards. Shock Horror!
So, please MN (I like naice ham/schools/neighbourhood types) - stop being condescending and trying to be PC sympathetic with us - by saying you hate the term 'Chav'.

It's patronising. And it doesn't wash.

falolenhard Mea Culpa!!!

When I walked out of those toilets 13 hours ago I never realised what arguments I'd create just because I used that specific single word in my post (in all honesty the word was used as a "tongue in cheek" term).

What was amazing was that those that objected to the word "Chav" didn't put so much effort into berating the girl for using such vile language in front of her child (and the language was vile - including frequent use of the "C" word)!!!

chavvy does not mean vulgar or cheap. It's an insult

As though saying someone or something is vulgar/cheap is a nice thing to say

Whisk is perfectly within her rights not to like the word, she has chav-roots.

You can't speak for everyone, nor can you assume the social and economic background for the whole of MN, which your post seems to be doing?

Fairyfellow :)

My family were dirt poor growing up.
But, we had manners, we had pride. (mainly instilled by my mother bless her)
In other words - We had Standards.

In other words -- We weren't cheap and common.

(by the way - being cheap has nothing to do with how much money you earn!)
In case you didnt know that.

Anybody else who grew up on a council estate and had brilliant parents, will understand what I'm getting at.

And if the term Chav (newspeak for common) had been around back then?
THAT'S what we would have called them.