to eradicate the words 'chavvy' and 'common' from the MN lexicon

[OrmRenewed]

They are lazy words. They mean 'anything that I don't like and am not'. If you dislike something enough to issue a sweeping and insulting comment about it, have the decency to give accurate and precise reasons for it.

That should be war, not was!!!

yabu

Well ok colditz, i'll tell my granny she needs to make her spite more transparent.

"Am I being unreasonable to eradicate the words 'chavvy' and 'common' from the MN lexicon?"

I think 'unsuccessful' is what you will be.

coalition - you can't! You must articulate your reasons

Calling someone or something common is the equivalent of 'yuck' and is not a reasoned response to anything (apart from liver that is)

I always use the word common to mean 'occurs frequently' - I can't think of another word to express this?

I don't always WANT to have reasoned articulate arguments though. Sometimes I just want to take my prejudices out for a little walk.

Can I use 'suburbun'?

Orm - if I wore big gold hoop earings and someone called them Chavvy it would be a statement of fact. I might like them, but I would have to accept that they are considered by many to be a fine example of Chav jewellery. If I find myself chosing to wear or do things that are generally considered to be 'Chav' then I am probably one.

If I'm a middle class Boden wearing yummie mummy then presumably I can't object to being called one, so if I'm a Chav the same applies.

I think you may be right trillian [sigh]

Chav is fair enough though. If you can't describe people as chav based on what the wear, then you also can't use goth/punk/emo/metaller etc.

belgo - well I think you may be in a minority

housewife - calling something 'chavy' is not stating a fact, it's airing an opinion.

What is the definition of chav tho ...my take on it on MN is that it means anyone who lives on a council estate...as in the chavpoline? council estate comment

Life is like a ladder. There is always someone one rung or more below us and someone one rung or more above us.

While you are looking down on the "chavs" and the "common" people, chances are that someone higher up the ladder is looking down on you for some perceived social clanger.

My motto in this turbulant world is "live and let live"

The general definition of chav is 'poor'.

but I am common as muck......please can I still use it

I didn't think you had to be poor to be a "chav". Plenty of very wealthy chavs round there parts (footballerville).

Coralanne - There is no ladder. There is wrong and right. I am right.

ImSoNotTelling - that's how it's often used though. Wealthy chavs are just poor people with money.

goth/punk/emo/metaller are all choices though. I chose to be a metaller when I was younger (still am at heart, if not in dress). To be called such is not an insult.

To be called a chav is totally different. It's about putting someone in their place. Beneath you.

Maybe everyone has their own personal definition of "chav". Its not a word that I use, but in my brain I know what I would mean if I did IYSWIM. And I suspect that it might be a different idea than what others mean.

or something

So yes I agree that people should define what the mean, rather than using a catch-all word, otherwise we may all be speaking at cross-purposes.

If we add a disclaimer that states we believe 'chav' and 'common' to relate to behaviour and taste and NOT to class, can we still use it, miss?

I assume it's OK to dislike certain behaviour and tastes, or is that not allowed now either? Do we have to all have the same middle-of-the-road, vanilla ideas and nod and smile inanely to everything everyone does, so as not to cause offense or deviate in any way from the party line? Just so that I know the roolz, like.

@ the definition of chav is poor, but can include people with lots of money

I wouldn't describe a homeless person as chavvy

Chavvy doesnt mean poor

Exactly what it does mean probably depends on where you live and what you're like and is a moveable feast.