What exactly is a chav?

[PeePantz]

For background, I'm an American and hopefully someone can make this subject relatable to me.

I think I have some understanding what a chav is, but this based on television and a small trickle of Irish folks traveling to my city during the summertime.

From what I know, a chav refers to a kid from the UK that comes from a working class family and dresses in track clothes, wears a chain, and often a Burberry lid. During wintertime, a chav is usually spotted with a big coat that has a hood donning a fake fur trim. Chavs tend to be considered something of a lowlife (maybe?).

There is a lot I don't understand though, more so the deeper meaning of a chav and what it implies. Is the word derogatory or do "chavs" refer to themselves as such? Are chavs considered to be white trash? If so, are they more like America's ghetto white trash or what we considered to be southern white trash (hicks, rednecks, etc.)? Are chavs what we consider "wiggers", or are they more of the Jersey trash stereotype? Maybe a hybrid?

TL;DR: How do chavs fit into society, how are they viewed upon, what makes a chav a "chav", and what are their stereotypical qualities?

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

You described the physical description rather well, but based on my british ex-gf, a chav is basically your UK version of a wigger (white man who sees himself as as a "gangtsa" they tend to dress a little more of the over-done hip hop style.

The problem with chavs is they tend to be rather violent fellows. They take no shit, they are judgemental, and ususally carry a knife on them and hang around in gangs. If they don't like the look of you, they'll make mention of it. If they really don't like you, you can get into a fight or stabbed in a moment.

That's what she told me pretty much

 

[Outright Villainy]

Something along the lines of your jersey shore types and wiggers. Mix the awful hardcore ganster rap taste in music with the hideous hair and clothes of the jersey shore type. I'm surprised you got the term from Irish people though, over here the equivalent would be called knackers.

 

[Get_A_Grip_]

Council Housed and Violent.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

A disgusting breed of human, none of its members realising what they are. Tragic, yes. Eradicable with weaponry? Also yes.

Spoiler: Here's a picture I took on my last safari:

Also, because of them, I think baseball caps are the scourge of the earth. Top hats are far more pleasant a type of head-wear.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

TL;DR: How do chavs fit into society, how are they viewed upon, what makes a chav a "chav", and what are their stereotypical qualities?

I believe this will answer any questions.

 

[JWRosser]

Apparently, once upon a time, chav was an acronym that stood for Council House And Violent. This pretty much sums it up. You know a chav when you see one - you take an instant dislike and think "twat".

Visit some English towns such as Swindon (we'll welcome you with open arms) to learn more.


NB: Not to be confused with Pikey.

 

[Artina89]

For background, I'm an American and hopefully someone can make this subject relatable to me.

I think I have some understanding what a chav is, but this based on television and a small trickle of Irish folks traveling to my city during the summertime.

From what I know, a chav refers to a kid from the UK that comes from a working class family and dresses in track clothes, wears a chain, and often a Burberry lid. During wintertime, a chav is usually spotted with a big coat that has a hood donning a fake fur trim. Chavs tend to be considered something of a lowlife (maybe?).

There is a lot I don't understand though, more so the deeper meaning of a chav and what it implies. Is the word derogatory or do "chavs" refer to themselves as such? Are chavs considered to be white trash? If so, are they more like America's ghetto white trash or what we considered to be southern white trash (hicks, rednecks, etc.)? Are chavs what we consider "wiggers", or are they more of the Jersey trash stereotype? Maybe a hybrid?

TL;DR: How do chavs fit into society, how are they viewed upon, what makes a chav a "chav", and what are their stereotypical qualities?

Essentially, you have described a chav quite well. I have never heard anyone who is a chav to refer themselves as such and I have only heard it used as a derogatory term, as chavs are not known for their intelligence, and I would actually consider them the british equivalent of "white trash". Thats just me though.

 

[eggy32]

Your description was right on the ball. They're unpleasant mostly and if the Jeremy Kyle show (that's like some sort of lower middle class, English Dr. Phil) is to be believed, they have no knowledge of contraception and have children at the age of 16 or so.

 

[TyrantGanado]

Violent thugs lacking in respect for anything. Often wearing tracksuits or knock-off designer brands. Only ever a danger in gangs, individuals chavs are shit-scared of everything (unless they're inebriated, which is often their natural state).

They are prone to beating up anything they brand "mosher" (or goth, or emo since they don't know the difference). They are generally unemployed or in dead-end minimum wage jobs just to fund their drug habits. Overall, a drain and stain on society.

Scottish equivelant = neds.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Here's the Urban Dictionary link:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chav

The explanations are too lengthy and bit too rude to post here, and there's still plenty of them.

So, my guess is some person who thinks they're cool by making a weirdly desperate physical image.

 

[therandombear]

I actually asked the same question while playing on the escapist TF2 servers, got several "answers" and the conclusion I got was "boys dressing and trying to be wanksters".

And seems my conclusion was right xD

 

[Rakkana]

Wigger 12 year old pussy's.

I can't think of a better way to some it up.

EDIT: They're a larva form for leeches.

 

[TheEndlessSleep]

They're just teenagers who look pretty much how you described.
They are normally working class.
They think that smoking is cool.
They hang around on street corners being dicks.
If you look at them they will almost alwasy say "What you lookin' at?"
Some of them act like they are Black but most of them are just either idiots or massive pricks.

 

[PeePantz]

Your description was right on the ball. They're unpleasant mostly and if the Jeremy Kyle show (that's like some sort of lower middle class, English Dr. Phil) is to be believed, they have no knowledge of contraception and have children at the age of 16 or so.

Is Jeremy Kyle that guy who pretends to be understanding at first then proceeds to seethe and berate his guests?

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Apparently, once upon a time, chav was an acronym that stood for Council House And Violent. This pretty much sums it up. You know a chav when you see one - you take an instant dislike and think "twat".

I think that may be a definition after the fact (like Posh supposedly standing for Port Out Starboard Home). As far as I can tell it derives from a Romani word originally, and came into english use through the Geordie term "Charva" (which basically means the same as Chav) which I've been using for over 10 years, and has been around longer.

 

[amadhatter]

sure, chavs are filthy white trash, but Devvo is still solid gold. Youtube that guy.

 

[LavaLampBamboo]

I've had experiences with chavs in the past. Living in South East London makes them unavoidable.

Essentially, a chav is a angry, normally young, person, usually of lower intelligence, often of an angry disposition. Often they hang out in groups, smoking, drinking or being abusive to passerbys. They can range between about 10 to 20 years in age although it really depends, with some being older or younger. They are normally unattractive, being spotty and rat faced (probably my opinion). A female chav is called a chavette. A group of chavs is actually called a mug. I think.

Hope that was helpful.

 

[PeePantz]

A disgusting breed of human, none of its members realising what they are. Tragic, yes. Eradicable with weaponry? Also yes.

Spoiler: Here's a picture I took on my last safari:

Also, because of them, I think baseball caps are the scourge of the earth. Top hats are far more pleasant a type of head-wear.

Haha. Are they somewhat contained (such as Jersey trash) or are they that prevalent that Tony Blair instituted ASBO? Was this because of them or problems as a whole?