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?

I think chavs in the extreme are now seen as ASBOs. Which sounds a little more formal I suppose.

Why is chav bad but snobby fine op?

Ds 30 and Dd 18 use it sometimes with caution. Not because it’s outdated but because they don’t feel comfortable with it.

But it’s not outdated.

It’s outdated, even when used with caution 😆

Nah its Well deserved in some circles 😅

It's a dated insult and no one seems to know what it's actually meant to mean if you call some "a chav".

That just came from an article in The Telegraph 20 years ago. It was actually nicked from the Geordie ‘chav’ (or ‘charva’ in full form) which most likely was itself nicked from the Romany term for ‘boy’. Geordies had been using the term for well over 10 years before the rest of the country cottoned on and I’m sure the Romany gypsies had been using it for centuries (though obviously with a slightly different meaning). I’m quite surprised that the OP thinks it’s still used extensively though!

@5128gap I don't disagree it's a lazy insult. And I was only using those descriptions as they are some of the things that might make someone refer to something or someone as chavvy. Not that they would necessarily have every one of those traits?! You're getting me wrong if you think I'm pro the use of 'chav'. As I said I don't use it.

I think if anyone thinks that words used to describe a group of people with a common feature, even if it’s unflattering, shouldn’t be used they are utterly naive

The problem with not wanting to use it, is that it is the only word available that accurately describes to a tee a certain type of person. We can all have an identical image in our head of the person. And it isn't even really an insult, as clearly many people aspire to it, given the choice of names for their children.

Panama2 · Today 15:20
Chav comes from travellers "Chavvies" meaning children I believe. I am sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along

You are completely correct. It is a Romany word. That is how it became a term of abuse. Disgusting.

Why is chav bad but snobby fine op?

Because 'chav' is a term judging someone for their social class (which they can't help), whereas 'snobby' describes someone's attitude (which they can help).

Anyway, I'm here for the many spurious suggestions about the origin of the word 'chav' and I have not been disappointed! There are a couple I haven't heard before! Also, the word 'bacronym' is new to me - very good!

Upper class!

There have always been words to describe particular kinds of people. When I was a teen, pre the term chav, it was twockers (taken from the police term) or moshers (if you liked to be in mosh pit). It's a natural evolution of language. Over the last few years there has been the term "road-men". Snob has stood the test of time and has been around for a while. It is no less derogatory than chav, yet you seem to feel it is appropriate here OP. Perhaps because you are personally insulted more by the other one?

What is the social class ?

Yes, I think it is quite nasty. Classism is still rife in the UK.

Most chavs call themselves chavs.

Absolutely.

Oh nicely put!

I wouldn’t use it as it’s a deeply classist term, often used as a derogatory word for working class people.

😆 made my day!

Yes. Chav is the same as common, feral lower-class, white-trash, pramface, And just as judgemental, snobbish and horrible as those terms.

@Beezknees we all make judgements on what we think is tasteless every minute of the day.

You're comparing the pejorative term chav to moshers, an insult to nobody?!

Isn't the word Chav an abbreviation for "council housed and violent"? Or something similar.

I think it's a disgusting word and wouldn't like my daughter to call anyone it.

We are council housed, not one violent bone in my body. Or my DH. We have lovely neighbours and live on a really lovely estate. Friendly, neighbourly and well kept.

It's not unreasonable to think it's not ok to use to describe people, but we all know what's meant by terms such as Chav, Council, Gammon or Karen whether we think it's appropriate to use them or not.