To think 'chav' is not an okay thing to call people?

[enternow99]

I find the use of chav on Mumsnet shocking. Is this name chavvy? Is this holiday destination chavvy? Is this outfit chavvy? Chavs moved in next door (I'm a leaseholder, they rent!!!!)

I understand its snobbiness but isn't it a bit horrible?

Not at all. Descriptors are descriptors for a reason

If you think it's fine to use, do you also say it to your children? Oh ignore them they're chavs!

Don't be daft. You are being deliberately challenging unnecessarily

It’s a very outdated term and most young people wouldn’t use it but I think the average age on MNs skews quite old so it’s acceptable to them.

What defines a chav?

It isn’t nice but no name calling is nice. You could say low class, vulgar and common. It would mean the same thing though so still not nice.

I’m going to get the ageist accusations now 🤦‍♀️

Agree. Its nasty classism.

I certainly wouldn't use that language in real life. It seems a bit outdated. Obviously it's an insult and snobby. But there is an issue here...
How would you describe something or someone cheap and tasteless looking, rude, uncouth, antisocial, uneducated and lacking aspiration? Is there an alternative word to use for such things?

What's the difference in your view OP, in calling someone chavvy and calling someone snobby?

YANBU.

Certain people use it because they're insecure and it gives them a sense of superiority to view people from a certain lifestyle as "beneath" them. I wouldn't be friends with anyone who called people chavs.

Descriptors are descriptors for a reason

What is a chav these days? I’ve honestly not heard anyone say it for years. Maybe decades.

The virtue signalling on MN is done by the very people that really would never dream of going to Costa Del Sol on AI because of the people, yet are offended on behalf of those exact people. It's not offensive, it does the job and we all know it.

How would you describe something or someone cheap and tasteless looking, rude, uncouth, antisocial, uneducated and lacking aspiration? Is there an alternative word to use for such things?

Whats wrong with those words?

I wouldn't call someone "cheap and tasteless looking" for a start. Who are you to decide what is tasteless?

Its classist but that's what its for - its meant to convey disgust for those 'lower' than us.

Agree. Not a word I would use personally because of the etymology, but one that became quite commonly used.
Now I just think it sounds a bit outdated and it makes me wince. But then I have gipsy heritage.

Proper Vicky Pollard chavs are becoming a rarity these days, I always feel quite nostalgic when I see one in the wild.

It's also the people who get offended on behalf of the stupid people but say the most hateful stuff about anyone who is in any way to the right of politics and think its funny. Like MM hoping Boris died for example, or some of the stuff said on here about Trump.

Chav, or Cheltenham Average. Coined by the ladies of Cheltenham Ladies College to denote a particular type of local.

Chav comes from travellers "Chavvies" meaning children I believe. I am sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along

I'm always torn on this... No, it isn't nice and is classist and derogatory. But also, in the right context, to the right audience, it is a useful descriptor. I'm not sure there is a polite, non-classist alternative description to use? Certainly not one so short and widely understood within our kind of age group? Don't get me wrong, I don't use it often at all! But sometimes you need a word... Also, my perception is that the word has slightly shifted in meaning now to be more derogatory? Back in the 90s it would have included 'working class and a certain look' but made good, spice girls for example, as well as Vicky Pollard types? Maybe there is a slight age devide here between older and younger millennials?

It's also the people who get offended on behalf of the stupid people but say the most hateful stuff about anyone who is in any way to the right of politics and think its funny. Like MM hoping Boris died for example, or some of the stuff said on here about Trump.

But if you see someone dressed in labels which some would say was chavvy style you don’t know if they are stupid or uneducated. That’s the outdated bit.

If not "chav" then what word sums up and condemns that specific group of people so succinctly? I disliked the word when I first started hearing it during the Blair years but I don't have a problem with people using the term, it's just a pretty unpleasant sounding word.