in thinking that the word 'chav' is an overused and lazy term to describe anything we feel is vulgar ?

[MaryAnnSingleton]

it annoys me that it's applied so often on mumsnet

yes, that's a good point ExterminAitch- but I still feel a bit irritated

did no one read my link

I've had a quick look at Jack from Borehamwood ! is he like that a lot ?

I think anyone can be needled by people pointing out their 'social shortcomings', whatever their class.

Look at Kate Middleton's mother. She went raving bonkers by all accounts when the press said she'd committed social suicide by saying 'toilet', and 'pleased to meet you'.

nearly every message he posts blames the 'chavs'

Ah now aitch, I agree with you and Fio that the C word in use says a lot more about the speaker than about the object of scorn, but I think any stereotyping of other humans by what they wear etc is mean-spirited and depressing, I hate it on here and it happens a lot
SEA, you need to get out of Borehamwood fast. It makes Sidcup look like Reasonville Central

i read your link SEA!! - jack sounds like a lovely man gather he is a regular contributor!

i always operate on the basis that 'underclass' refers to what used to be called the working class except that maybe we're onto a second generation of a non-working lower class, iykwim? so referring to a working class is inaccurate.

Perhaps I am the only one who thought Jack Borehamwood was funny! Why an earth are you all ranting about a word. From what I can see, most of the people who are described as Chav actually like it. You've got to admit they are out there! How come you moan about this, bet half of you watch Catherine Tate and laugh your heads off, WTF do you think she is taking the piss out of? Incidentally to be fair to Ms Tate, she takes the piss out of all classes.

Rant over!

i live in kent and the word chav has been used here for the past 20 odd years. Its not seen as a putdown, just a word that describes a certain type of person, the real chavs are actually proud to be chavs and laugh at other youngster known as a'wannabe chavs'!!!!!!!!
Its just another type of youth culture, along with goths,skins, Emo's etc. Its the media who has exaggerated the chav scene and made it a big thing.
I dont like the chav style but that doesnt make me a snob or classist, we are all differant.

aha but chavs, like their forefathers- the neds and casuals, can't just be any old common person. You don't call an old woman a chav do you? Chav-dom has an expiration date.

I only ever use it to describe a certain style. As someone else said, like Goths etc. What is the correct description for that style??

"i think the boden classes can take it"

Er... so it's OK to dig at people if they have money but not if they don't? Mind you, "chav style" has nothing to do with lack of money.

I don't like it at all

i don't know. the lefty liberal part of me agrees that it's a cover for snobbery and says more about the person who uses it than the person it's applied to.

But ok, i was at the park (again) with dd the other day and there was a family of 3. Mum was about 20, crop top and jogging bottoms (ok i'm just jealous because i have a severe muffin top and could never get away with it).

Dad was about the same age, shirtless, baiting a pitbull-type dog by flicking a massive elastic band at it's nose, getting it to bite his legs and generally teaching the poor creature to be vicious, can of special brew in the other hand (it was midday).

Mother was taunting her kid (who was about 3) for 'acting weird and not making friends with the other kids'. And i'm sorry but you'd have to be a saint not to get judgey and for the word 'chav' not to enter your head for even a nanosecond before you banished it with political correctness, wouldn't you?

oh, and she had 'CLAYTON' in massive celticy letters across her lower back.

I'm sorry, i really am, i'm not usually that judgemental, but come on!

yeah, i kinda think it is, tbh soupy. life is easier if you've got money, you should be able to take a bit of a goosing.

where i live the chavs are proud of being chavs and use the term to refer to themselves.