chav

Origin uncertain; probably of Angloromani origin. Compare Romani chavi (“male child”) or chavo, shavo (“female child”), chal (“boy”), chavvy (“mate, friend”), compare Swedish tjej; possible cognate with Spanish chaval, German Chabo. See also charva.

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /tʃæv/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æv

chav (plural chavs)

1. (Britain, derogatory, offensive) A working-class youth, especially one associated with aggression, poor education, and a perceived "common" taste in clothing and lifestyle.

   Synonyms: charva, ned, pikey; see also Thesaurus:chav

   Coordinate term: chavette

   • (Can we date this quote?), Dizzee Rascal (lyrics and music), “Creeper (Freestyle)”:

     Lyrical staff / Never could they ever take me for a chav / Scholar in the English, scholar in the Math / Dizzee ain't no riff raff

   • 2011, ‘Giving the poor a good kicking’, The Economist, 18 Jun 2011:

     His book concerns ‘chavs’, a supposed underclass of ill-educated, fast-breeding, violent and amoral poor people currently plaguing Britain.

• mush

• chav on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

• "Good news for chavs: they may be cool people soon" by Robin Young, The Times, 2004-10-19, accessed 2005-04-15
• World Wide Words: chav, by Michael Quinion, accessed 2005-04-15
• Posting by "Quizmonster" in The Answer Bank, 2005-02-22, accessed 2005-04-15
• Posting by "Dick Jones" in FrizzyLogic, 2004-03-19, accessed 2005-04-15
• "The Chavs are Coming", The Irish Times 2005-03-23, accessed 2005-04-15
• Bragg, M. 'The Adventure of English', London, Hodder and Stoughton, 2003: 26.

• HVAC