'Chav'.

[ponder]

I don't wish to sound pedantic or overly anal, but there seems to be a real overuse of this word on these forums at the moment. The word, to me, is nothing more than a generalisation of young people who dress a certain way, yet 'chav' is openly banded around as if any teenager smoking / swearing / wearing a hoody falls in to that category.

Now, I'm not a 'chav' in any sense of the word, but the way I see the term used on here sometimes smacks of superiority complex and posters who, on the whole seem relatively intelligent, making rather baseless generalisations of people they don't actually know.

I can't say I'm offended by it, but every time I see the word 'chav' used in such loose context, I can't help but sigh. Be more creative people!

Pointless rant over.

[Pennywise]

I agree that the term 'chav' shouldn't be used so loosely. But, then again, I haven't actually seen it used in an unjustified context on these forums. The term itself, in my opinion, is a valid one; regardless of its origins, it now means little more than 'youths behaving in an antisocial manner', and that's the way that I interpret it whenever I read it. Nothing to do with clothing or, indeed, necessarily to do with smoking and swearing.

[Sam]

I completely agree. It's often used as discrimination against the working class. Or teenagers at theme parks.

Though I'm sure people will find a hundred examples of when I've done it and show me up to be hypocritical.

[.Will]

[quote=""Sam""]I completely agree. It's often used as discrimination against the working class.[/quote]

Eh? Working class? I thought one of the main characteristics of being a 'chav' was that they didn't work.

It's not against just the 'working class' either it's more of an appearance thing, not that I have anything against it because appearances can be deceptive.

[Big Dave]

Chav doesnt relate to every single teenager, but instead is often used to relate to teenagers that form gangs, cause trouble and dress in a certain way. If you take the term chav from wikipedia you get this ""chavs" are said to be aggressive and arrogant teenagers and young adults, of underclass background, who repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdiness, or other forms of juvenile delinquency."

Kinda says it all really.

[TowserIV]

Surely you can only be labeled a chav if you or your group are acting like a chav?

[James]

Hmm, even though in my daily life I do say myself "He's a chav", "She looks like an utter chav" etc... what is a 'chav', really?

It's a very lose term. Much like people get tagged as emos or goths. It's a stereotype that is over used in this day and age - is a chav loud? Do they wear sportswear? Do they swear a lot? Do they break the law? Do they listen to hip-hop and R'n'B?

Chav just seems to be a general term used to describe people such as Dave has mentioned in his post. Although most people tend to use this term beyond that (such as basing someone as a 'chav' on looks).

[Big Dave]

Thing is, we live in a very stereotypical world. How many times I have heard people say that something is gay? Using the term "gay" to mean something that is either of a lower class/poor standard or something that is really camp. Thing is, I hear that said on this very forum which is full of gays!

We live in a world where people like to put others into groups, even if they dont belong in that group. We also seem to over do things to get attention or to make others look bad. A person might be doing nothing wrong, but because they look a bit chavy and you have taken a dislike to them, they instantly become a chav even though its based on no evidence or facts.

[oldgitBEN]

Chav? Is it 2008 again?

[gazag]

chav = someone thats annoying you and everyone else around you unintentually, wears a tracksuit and has no repect for anyone else. so in these circumstances i will use that

troll = someone that is annoying you for there own enjoyment. use this too


these are the rules i work by. chav and troll can be used in a funny context but only when it will be taken as a joke

[SheikhSam]

Chav - Council House And Violent.

Therefore it is quite an open remark, and not just teenagers/youth.

I wouldn't really say the word 'chav' is overused, as sadly it describes a great deal of our society.

[.Will]

I thought it was Council House Associated Vermin?

:P

[SheikhSam]

Either way it describes them :P

[SpinballEdders]

chav seems a bit harsh how about "someone who goes to thorpe park"?

[Blaze]

To be honest, there is a difference between 'chav' and 'having a laugh and messing around a bit'. After all, it's a theme park, the places were invented for people to go a bit crazy, so the word can be a bit over used on here.

When it's used, it's more 'this person was acting in a way that is similar to your common-or-garden chav' rather than saying 'this person was wearing a stolen JJB own-brand tracksuit, swiging White Lightning and spitting at people'.

[ponder]

[quote=""SpinballEdders""]chav seems a bit harsh how about "someone who goes to thorpe park"?[/quote]


Which would include a fair number of people from this very community...

[SpinballEdders]

[quote=""ponder""][quote=""SpinballEdders""]chav seems a bit harsh how about "someone who goes to thorpe park"?[/quote]


Which would include a fair number of people from this very community... [/quote]

ok that seems a bit harsh towards our TTF members that go to thorpe how about "someone that has common sense in theme parks?"

[Spike]

Desensitisation. Words like "chav" have bled into society and as with many words morphed to mean a whole host of new reasons. Chav is hardly used by it's original meaning. Same goes for emo.

Words effect people in different ways, some can take offence to a word where others don't. The word c**t for me has been desensitised through TTF but many still think it to be a horrid word so you sometimes have to be careful.

I for instance hate faggot & queer but some find it not to be that derogatory.

Add in the context in which a word is used & you have a minefield of misinterpretation, especially over the internet where it's not always easy to interpret how a word is said or what context it's used in.

[Nightfall]

I've always found it a shame that tracksuits have become associated with Chavs. I wear tracksuits and as those who have met me will know I’m practically the definition of anti-Chav.

Tracksuits are really well designed clothing. They're perfectly functional for both sporting use and wearing normally (assuming you can get them without the huge sports logo's on). I find them so comfortable that I'll very rarely wear anything else unless something more formal is required. Yet whenever I'm wearing them they are frowned upon for being "Chav Clothing". Screw you society, I'd rather wear something practical and be labelled a Chav if it means I can be comfy.

Please note I am the same guy who also goes around wearing a bum bag. Fashion and conformism have never been a strong point of mine :P

[Islander]

[quote=""Nightfall""]Tracksuits are really well designed clothing. They're perfectly functional for both sporting use and wearing normally...[/quote]
Lawl, best post ever :P. If your degree falls through, you should consider a job at a shopping channel.