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?

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. HTH is passive-aggressive.

Many people on this thread think nothing of using the word, and many people have said their children use it.

@serialcatbuyer or because its comfortable

It boils down to classist discrimination of people who are often of a lower socio-economical standard than those using the word.

"Why does someone who wears tracksuits and garish accessories have to change their ways? Who are you to decide what a person should drink or wear."

They don't have to change their ways. I don't care what other people wear. But they will be prejudged just like someone wearing goth clothing or designer clothing or sportswear or certain brands. It's disingenuous and unrealistic to suggest this doesn't happen for everyone.
I was referring more to my antisocial behaviour - ie underage drinking in public places - but yes my clothing played a part in it too.

Just use your language skills and use more words, why should people be reduced to one word - a slur is a slur

If working class, romany, gypsy and traveller peoples are telling posters it's an offensive slur utilised against them and their people, why continue to use it?

That is the point of the word. People know EXACTLY what it means.

Ironic given your username 😂

…yes I know that many people think that, you are the one that asked the question, hence why I quoted your comment…but I’m beginning to suspect that you’re just looking for an argument and that reason left the chat a while ago.

So prejudice is happening so we should accept it?

In your case, you internalised it and changed yourself to escape it. Now you dole it out to others who have not shaped themselves to society's requirements.

The n-word is utilised by black people. Glad you picked up on that!

Having a back-and-forth discussion is not looking for an argument. Nor am I looking for a reason to be offended.

So the woman wearing the Sweaty Betty sports wear on the school run would be labeled a 'chav' then? Or is that an approved MC label?

@enternow99 - yeh its never used (on here)as a compliment or in a flattering manner.
@Gingerdancedbackwards - logic of descriptors for a reason is valid.If nything aas it identifies the mindset of the person who uses it surely.

@enternow99 I'm not doling it out to anyone 😂 how dramatic. I don't approach people to inform them that they are chavs. But I also think if people are prepared to behave in an antisocial way then they are going to be prejudged.

So it's a say behind their back thing? Behind closed doors?

@arethereanyleftatall but clearly people don't know "EXACTLY" what it means because on this thread people are giving very different descriptions of what they think it means.

It’s a really outdated term - I remember it being used when I was at school in the late 90s/early 00s. We’d call each other chavs, but it didn’t feel offensive, it was said more in jest and I never took offence.

Now, it seems to be used by snobby & judgmental people, it’s very classist, which isn’t cool.

@chav1 I mean I don't spend that much of my life discussing or thinking about it to be honest.

But it's ok to prejudge them? Use the slur? Or would you prejudge them as antisocial people (and not "chavs").

"I'm not doling it out to anyone 😂 how dramatic. I don't approach people to inform them that they are chavs. But I also think if people are prepared to behave in an antisocial way then they are going to be prejudged."

Is it time to start thinking about it maybe given your stance on here?

It's charva where I'm from and it's part of our dialect. Essentially means a kid who is a bit unruly. I think the meaning might be a different further south.

With you all the way, OP

I think it's a hate-filled word, I've never used it, and don't have close friends who use it either.

If you look up the word charva, you'll see the origin / etymology...its akin.

My stance is that being a chav isn't a class issue or something you need to escape from.
Just don't be a dick. It's really simple.
I'm not saying it's a nice word, read my earlier post. I'm saying it's no different to the hundreds of other derogatory terms dished out daily. Of course prejudice isn't ok but it exists in every single walk of life. Being a chav is something that can be changed as it's based on behaviour not age, sex, race or anything else.
That's my view.