Chav

A derogatory British slang term primarily used to describe a lower-class individual, often young, characterized by their perceived vulgar behavior, aggressive attitude, and distinctive style. This style typically involves sportswear (especially tracksuits and trainers), gold jewelry, and specific haircuts like the 'tracksuit haircut'. The term carries strong negative connotations, implying a lack of education, poor manners, and antisocial tendencies. It is important to recognize that using this term can be offensive and perpetuates class-based stereotypes. The origin of the word is uncertain, though it is believed to derive from the Romani word 'chavi' (child) or possibly from the acronym 'council housed and violent'. While often used for comedic purposes in British media, its use can be hurtful and is generally considered impolite.

Chav meaning with examples

• The news report featured a story about a local disturbance, with witnesses describing a group of young men involved in the incident, and some commentators online quickly labelled them as 'chavs', focusing more on their appearance than the details of the event, prompting backlash due to the perceived classist implications. This instance exemplified how the word could be used negatively.
• During a debate about urban regeneration, the council debated over creating programs designed to help the 'chav' type families of council houses, which was quickly criticised for its stigmatizing effect by other councilmen. This exemplifies the controversy and negative connotations around targeting people for their appearance and perceived class.
• In a satirical sketch about youth culture, a character was presented as an exaggerated 'chav', complete with a fake accent, cheap gold jewelry, and a love for a specific type of music, but this was more meant to be humorous than to reflect the character's actual background. The joke played on the stereotypes surrounding the term.
• A social media user wrote a post commenting on the rising cost of living, saying it was impacting some people and adding that the council's failure to make changes was a result of 'chav' culture; the post received criticism because the post suggested that council workers were also chavs due to the stereotypical behaviour suggested by the initial insult.