Calling someone a 'chav'

[GuardianOfMyGalaxy]

Aibu to think that the word 'chav' is derogatory and shouldn't be used?

It's said in the baby name boards a lot, and to me, describing something as 'chav' or 'chavvy' is in the same manner as describing something as pikey or ghetto.

Am I being over sensitive and it's just banter, or is it as classist and stereotypical as I believe?

I agree, tbh. But I may be biased because my name is always described as chavvy on the baby name boards

YANBU it is horribly classist and shouldn't be used.

Of course it's derogatory.

It's never used as a compliment.

I agree. I've seen all kinds of shite referred to as chavvy.

Including the word Nanna.

I don't think most of MN know how to use the word. They use it to describe things they see as below them

Council House And Violent

Yeah. I'd say that's derogatory.

I agree. It's derogatory.

My favourite comment on the baby name board was when a poster described the name Kathleen as being a bit too Eastenders for her liking

Yes it is derogatory in my opinion.

Plenty of derogatory terms get thrown about on these boards 😂

Yes its a horrible word

'Council House And Violent' is not the original meaning.

Chav was Romany word for a child/baby wasn't it?

Yes it's used by those who think they're better than others, a terrible word and definitely derogatory

'Council Housed And Violent' is a backronym- ie an acronym invented to fit a word that already existed, not an acronym that the word is based on. Although either way... pretty offensive.

Yes I think so Proud

It means 'gypsy' child, yes. It is racially charged in its original context and deeply classist in any case.

Neither chav nor posh are acronyms.

You can tell I'm not posh because that sentence should have ended "...is an acronym". No grammar lessons at my school. But you can tell I'm not a chav because apparently I care.

Does it matter if it is a vile acronym or another horrid term that has been appropriated? Either way, it is a horrible thing to say.

in fact I just kicked off at someone on the baby name board for calling a name 'a chav name'.
I really don't like it. As I said on the other board, it means 'poorer than we are' and is invariably picked up by children from their repulsive parents.

Horrible.

So widely used though and I think it's more often said thoughtlessly than maliciously.

When I was at university, 'Rahs and Chavs' was a really common them for a fancy dress bar crawl/party.

I thought chav came from 'Cheltenham Average' (ie a teen in Cheltenham not at one of the public schools). Not sure where I heard that though.

Yes, chav is a horrible, derogatory word.

Trills Interestingly posh is an acronym for Port Out Starboard Home. Rich people who went on ocean liners to America back in the day would choose this cabin arrangement, to avoid the glare of the sun. True story.

its from the Romany, 'chavvy' means small child in that language.
Interestingly 'chavale' is also Andalucian slang for boy.
it does not mean 'Cheltenham Average' although I think some ghastly Cheltenham Ladies college alumna was putting that about..:)

Never knew this, it's used regularly in these ere parts, people call it themselves and it's not too derogatory, think young kids who wear genuine Burberry, look gorgeous and wear all the latest trends but are a bit too try hard.

It's almost a fecking compliment here (have called it myself from time to time, much to the amusement of my trendy nephews)

Really? I have only ever heard it used as an insult. Maybe that is a regional thing?

No. It's not a true story. That was my point.