Today's most viewed
| SPECIAL REPORTS |  | | | | | SWAP ME | | | | RETRO | | | | | | OUR YOUNG STARS | | |
|
|
|
Discuss: Banning the word chav
HEAR the word chav and what comes into your mind? If a think tank has its way you might not hear the word for much longer.
The word chav has been around for a long time - believed to be a travellers' word for friend or a Romany word for child.
It has become a widely used word in the past five years, usually a derogatory term to refer to the dress or behaviour of a young Vicky Pollard type character.
The common stereotype for a chav is big earrings and pulled-back hair for a woman or bling jewellery and baseball caps for men, usually accompanied by designer sportswear and a brash attitude.
Now the left-wing think tank the Fabian Society wants people to stop using the slang term as it is a form of "class hatred" against the young working class.
The society says the word is a "sneering and patronising" put-down which is offensive to many people.
Dictionaries refer to a chav being a person of "low social status" or "uneducated and ignorant".
What do you think? Should the word chav be outlawed? Is the use of it just light-hearted fun-poking, an example of snobbery or is it more serious and offensive than that? If someone called you a chav would you get upset? The word 'pikey' is now deemed to be a racist offence, so should the same apply to chav? Add your comments below.
10:03am Thursday 17th July 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: JAYJAY, HERE on 10:26am Thu 17 Jul 08
The loony left wing once again trying to tell us how to think and speak.
If I want to use the word CHAV then I will and no-one is going to tell me different.
Legions of pram-faced chavs with their offspring claiming benefits to keep them in cheap tatty jewellery and hairbands to perfect their Croydon Facelift hairdos.
Freedom of Speech, isn't that was this country is supposed to be about yet we are constantly told not to say things for fear of upsetting one or another portion of society. Well I will say what I think please or offend.
The loony left wing once again trying to tell us how to think and speak.
If I want to use the word CHAV then I will and no-one is going to tell me different.
Legions of pram-faced chavs with their offspring claiming benefits to keep them in cheap tatty jewellery and hairbands to perfect their Croydon Facelift hairdos.
Freedom of Speech, isn't that was this country is supposed to be about yet we are constantly told not to say things for fear of upsetting one or another portion of society. Well I will say what I think please or offend.
Posted by: mt on 10:43am Thu 17 Jul 08
if they did ban it, i'm sure a few replacment words would be used instead..
if they did ban it, i'm sure a few replacment words would be used instead..
Posted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Armchair on 10:55am Thu 17 Jul 08
[bold]Your Lord[/bold] prefers to use the word scum over chav but has been known to describe certain individuals as scummy chavs, so I wonder the politically correct morons think of that?
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
Your Lord prefers to use the word scum over chav but has been known to describe certain individuals as scummy chavs, so I wonder the politically correct morons think of that?
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott Posted by: C, Dartford on 11:25am Thu 17 Jul 08
Another case of loony Political Correctness. Do we live in a free country any more? Remember George Orwell's 1984? If you control the use of language you eventually control the society. Long live free speech!
Another case of loony Political Correctness. Do we live in a free country any more? Remember George Orwell's 1984? If you control the use of language you eventually control the society. Long live free speech!
Posted by: Roman, Chislehurst on 12:29pm Thu 17 Jul 08
If it becomes outlawed like other racist demeaning words, such as Pi**y, n*gg*R, P*ki, then you will all have no choice but to not use the word or face arrest and a criminal record I'm afraid.
But, and this is the same with all racist comments words or remarks, they can tell you what you can and cant say and arrest you for it, but they will never stop us thinking and saying what we please in our own homes and minds. Ask the chavs what they think, because for me it doesnt mean any of what they have said, to me it is a young person who wears burberry and bling, to them its a fashion statement and they are quite happy to be called chavs, else why would they dress and act in the manor to which we are acustomed to seeing chavs dress if they considered it to be derogatory, surely even a chav cant really be that dumb ? can they ?
If it becomes outlawed like other racist demeaning words, such as Pi**y, n*gg*R, P*ki, then you will all have no choice but to not use the word or face arrest and a criminal record I'm afraid.
But, and this is the same with all racist comments words or remarks, they can tell you what you can and cant say and arrest you for it, but they will never stop us thinking and saying what we please in our own homes and minds. Ask the chavs what they think, because for me it doesnt mean any of what they have said, to me it is a young person who wears burberry and bling, to them its a fashion statement and they are quite happy to be called chavs, else why would they dress and act in the manor to which we are acustomed to seeing chavs dress if they considered it to be derogatory, surely even a chav cant really be that dumb ? can they ?
Posted by: James, Dartford on 1:06pm Thu 17 Jul 08
I am interested to read the etymology of the word put forward here. My understanding was thet it was a much newer word and originated in the Medway towns where "Chav" meant a person from Charham, used as a derogatory term by those from Rochester looking down on their neighbours.
The authorities may try to outlaw use of particulalr language but this can never be enforced, other than in official documents which do not use the term anyway.
Freedom of speech is indeed a fine cause to uphold but with freedom comes a certain responsibility to exercise the good grace and kindness of spirit to know when it is prudent to self-moderate and refrain from using needlessly inflamatory language.
I am interested to read the etymology of the word put forward here. My understanding was thet it was a much newer word and originated in the Medway towns where "Chav" meant a person from Charham, used as a derogatory term by those from Rochester looking down on their neighbours.
The authorities may try to outlaw use of particulalr language but this can never be enforced, other than in official documents which do not use the term anyway.
Freedom of speech is indeed a fine cause to uphold but with freedom comes a certain responsibility to exercise the good grace and kindness of spirit to know when it is prudent to self-moderate and refrain from using needlessly inflamatory language.
Posted by: C, Dartford on 1:36pm Thu 17 Jul 08
I agree with banning 'racist demeaning words'; however if 'chav' is a 'class hatred' word, presumably I can't use it unless I'm white and on benefits? (Oops - perhaps I should now be saying 'ch*v')
:)
I agree with banning 'racist demeaning words'; however if 'chav' is a 'class hatred' word, presumably I can't use it unless I'm white and on benefits? (Oops - perhaps I should now be saying 'ch*v')
:)
Posted by: Upper Class on 1:39pm Thu 17 Jul 08
If you enter 'chav' in wikipedia you will get a fairly detailed explanation of it's possible origins... and some famous examples of modern day chavs! makes for interesting reading..
UC
If you enter 'chav' in wikipedia you will get a fairly detailed explanation of it's possible origins... and some famous examples of modern day chavs! makes for interesting reading..
UC
Posted by: sam, dartford on 1:59pm Thu 17 Jul 08
i put the word chav in the wikipedia, and it describes a generation of people who have never worked for a living, sponged of the goverment, their mates, and the tax payer, and wears hooped earrings, or sovereign rings to think themselves better
i put the word chav in the wikipedia, and it describes a generation of people who have never worked for a living, sponged of the goverment, their mates, and the tax payer, and wears hooped earrings, or sovereign rings to think themselves better
Posted by: chavvie, chatham on 2:24pm Thu 17 Jul 08
[quote][bold]James[/bold] wrote:
I am interested to read the etymology of the word put forward here. My understanding was thet it was a much newer word and originated in the Medway towns where "Chav" meant a person from Charham, used as a derogatory term by those from Rochester looking down on their neighbours.
The authorities may try to outlaw use of particulalr language but this can never be enforced, other than in official documents which do not use the term anyway.
Freedom of speech is indeed a fine cause to uphold but with freedom comes a certain responsibility to exercise the good grace and kindness of spirit to know when it is prudent to self-moderate and refrain from using needlessly inflamatory language.[/quote] From Chatham not Chartham, I am unfortunately an original Chav!!
James wrote:
I am interested to read the etymology of the word put forward here. My understanding was thet it was a much newer word and originated in the Medway towns where "Chav" meant a person from Charham, used as a derogatory term by those from Rochester looking down on their neighbours.
The authorities may try to outlaw use of particulalr language but this can never be enforced, other than in official documents which do not use the term anyway.
Freedom of speech is indeed a fine cause to uphold but with freedom comes a certain responsibility to exercise the good grace and kindness of spirit to know when it is prudent to self-moderate and refrain from using needlessly inflamatory language.
From Chatham not Chartham, I am unfortunately an original Chav!!
Posted by: chavvie, chatham on 2:26pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Enter Chav on argos website! LOL
Enter Chav on argos website! LOL
Posted by: chav, chav land on 2:27pm Thu 17 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Roman[/bold] wrote:
If it becomes outlawed like other racist demeaning words, such as Pi**y, n*gg*R, P*ki, then you will all have no choice but to not use the word or face arrest and a criminal record I\\\'m afraid. But, and this is the same with all racist comments words or remarks, they can tell you what you can and cant say and arrest you for it, but they will never stop us thinking and saying what we please in our own homes and minds. Ask the chavs what they think, because for me it doesnt mean any of what they have said, to me it is a young person who wears burberry and bling, to them its a fashion statement and they are quite happy to be called chavs, else why would they dress and act in the manor to which we are acustomed to seeing chavs dress if they considered it to be derogatory, surely even a chav cant really be that dumb ? can they ?[/quote] y dont you do one you mug and get a life
Roman wrote:
If it becomes outlawed like other racist demeaning words, such as Pi**y, n*gg*R, P*ki, then you will all have no choice but to not use the word or face arrest and a criminal record I'm afraid. But, and this is the same with all racist comments words or remarks, they can tell you what you can and cant say and arrest you for it, but they will never stop us thinking and saying what we please in our own homes and minds. Ask the chavs what they think, because for me it doesnt mean any of what they have said, to me it is a young person who wears burberry and bling, to them its a fashion statement and they are quite happy to be called chavs, else why would they dress and act in the manor to which we are acustomed to seeing chavs dress if they considered it to be derogatory, surely even a chav cant really be that dumb ? can they ?
y dont you do one you mug and get a life
Posted by: mememe, does it matter on 6:46pm Thu 17 Jul 08
chav means 'a waste of space doughnut whoes mum dresses them like idiots with brains like sieves' end of !!!!!!!!!!
chav means 'a waste of space doughnut whoes mum dresses them like idiots with brains like sieves' end of !!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Let's Agree To Differ on 9:42pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Forget about arguing over the word origin and its ability to offend. Just ban chavs? Problem solved!
Forget about arguing over the word origin and its ability to offend. Just ban chavs? Problem solved!
Posted by: Rhi on 10:17pm Thu 17 Jul 08
I think if the word chav is banned because people fell "persured" by it, shouldn't you ban words like Emo goth punk Ect because those are equally mean and horrible
I think if the word chav is banned because people fell "persured" by it, shouldn't you ban words like Emo goth punk Ect because those are equally mean and horrible
Posted by: Geoff, Northfleet on 5:28am Fri 18 Jul 08
Chav comes from the word Chavillion, which in Ancient Greek times, meant Large and White horse like on the horizon.
Chav comes from the word Chavillion, which in Ancient Greek times, meant Large and White horse like on the horizon.
Posted by: Phil, barnehurst on 7:26pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Chav means 'Council House and Violent'! end of story!
Chav means 'Council House and Violent'! end of story!
Posted by: Anti-chav, Londonium on 8:53pm Fri 18 Jul 08
CHAV? C-heap H-ollow A-nd V-ulgar.
If the chav's can't read this take off your burberry caps!
CHAV? C-heap H-ollow A-nd V-ulgar.
If the chav's can't read this take off your burberry caps!
Posted by: Mad Earwig, kent on 1:55pm Sat 19 Jul 08
We all know what a 'chav' represents...usually a low life, under educated, normally quite ugly person with little or no morals or values. These people love fast food, football eastenders and have trouble with the English language. In my lexicon, there are levels of 'chavness' called 'Scudders' and 'Sh*tkickers' but the ultimate is the ever increasing 'Scutters' These are people who normally hang around outside shops with nothing to do, because there is nothing going on inside their heads apart from which mobile phone to get next...Britain has lost its place in the World.
We all know what a 'chav' represents...usually a low life, under educated, normally quite ugly person with little or no morals or values. These people love fast food, football eastenders and have trouble with the English language. In my lexicon, there are levels of 'chavness' called 'Scudders' and 'Sh*tkickers' but the ultimate is the ever increasing 'Scutters' These are people who normally hang around outside shops with nothing to do, because there is nothing going on inside their heads apart from which mobile phone to get next...Britain has lost its place in the World.
Posted by: doc, cool kid on 5:01pm Sat 19 Jul 08
wo wo all you lot.
I am the king of the chavs
I have my berrabriy hat on **** my beer look at all the chaves ,
We are the fasion off this countray. ENGLAND!!! ENGLAND !!!!
DO WE NOT MAKE YOU PROUND TO BE ENGLISH
wo wo all you lot.
I am the king of the chavs
I have my berrabriy hat on **** my beer look at all the chaves ,
We are the fasion off this countray. ENGLAND!!! ENGLAND !!!!
DO WE NOT MAKE YOU PROUND TO BE ENGLISH
Posted by: Gypo on 8:30pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Will Chav be like the 'N' word ? Its all rite fer some black people to use the 'N' word. Even Jesse Jackson called em 'Ns'. So we can calls a Chav, a Chav.
Gota go see Doc, and me Chavies dahn the pub cuz, OK .
Will Chav be like the 'N' word ? Its all rite fer some black people to use the 'N' word. Even Jesse Jackson called em 'Ns'. So we can calls a Chav, a Chav.
Gota go see Doc, and me Chavies dahn the pub cuz, OK .
Posted by: B Reynolds, Gravesend on 10:23pm Tue 22 Jul 08
The word Chav should not be stopped as it quite clearly defines a social group who deliberately choose and want to be known as uneducated and ignorant; it's their badge of honour. If the word chave is offensive to some, so what, I find that group offensive in themselves. It's about time the do gooders concentrated on the real problems with this group and make them all part of the tax paying society.
The word Chav should not be stopped as it quite clearly defines a social group who deliberately choose and want to be known as uneducated and ignorant; it's their badge of honour. If the word chave is offensive to some, so what, I find that group offensive in themselves. It's about time the do gooders concentrated on the real problems with this group and make them all part of the tax paying society.
Posted by: Mike, Petts Wood on 10:27pm Sun 17 Aug 08
We can't ban the word chav honestly, these people need to learn to change and become useful members of society. Besides they alweays put everyone else down so why should we not give them a taste of their own medicine.
We can't ban the word chav honestly, these people need to learn to change and become useful members of society. Besides they alweays put everyone else down so why should we not give them a taste of their own medicine.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
