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ChavChav is a derogatory slang term currently in popular usage throughout England. It refers to a subculture negatively stereotyped as being uneducated, uncultured and prone to antisocial or immoral behavior. The label is typically (although not exclusively) applied to teenagers and young adults of white working class or lower-middle class origin. A male chav is sometimes referred to as a chavster and a female as a chavette, although chav is typically used to refer to both sexes. The term is equivalent to one definition of townie but is more specific in its usage. Response to the term has ranged from acceptance to criticism that the term is a new manifestation of classism. The term is also the subject of humour in the media. The term has been popularised by the tabloid press and is something of a buzzword. It is similar to the United States term white trash and the Australian equivalent bogan. Origin The word Chav is thought to be from the mid-19th century Romany word chavi, meaning delinquent youth. Others suggest it originates from a nickname used of people from the town of Chatham or from the the combination of the place name "Cheltenham" and the class label "Average". It is sometimes mockingly redefined as an acronym of "Council Housed And Violent", or "Council House Assault & Violence", although there is no etymological basis for this — it is likely to be a backronym but it has also been rumoured that it started life as police slang. Key concepts This stereotyped subculture is defined by outsiders. Essentially no one self-identifies with these labels and groupings, but rather they are used by those on the outside to categorise those that conform to the stereotype, which is marked by the similarity of trends in clothing and behaviour. The essential stereotype is of being loudly lower-class, with 'class' defined by aesthetic rather than income considerations. The key features of the stereotype are: - The wearing of particular clothing, such as
- For women, make up applied with a trowell with the hairstyle known as the 'Council House Facelift' in which the (usually dyed) hair is pulled back into a tight bun.
- Association with crass, drunken behaviour and minor criminal activities, generally carried out under the influence of alcohol, and often after the pubs have closed.
- The association with housing estates and other low-income neighbourhoods.
- The ownership of a large, dangerous attack dog.
- The ownership of a heavily modified car, often of low original specification
- Musically, a chav might enjoy mainstream rap music and his girlfriend R&B, with pop and dance music a common ground between them. The rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain have satirised the chav aesthetic.
- The frequent use of mobile phones, (regardless of location such as cinemas, restaurants, etc.).
- A penchant for the television chat show Trisha
- Disregard for any laws prohibiting an activity below a certain age (In particular drinking and sex)
The Burberry clothing brand in particular acquired such links with the chav subculture that it ceased production of its branded baseball cap. Given the popularity of this item, a counterfeit version is usually what is being referred to. Broadcast Media The character Vicky Pollard as portrayed in the BBC comedy series Little Britain by Matt Lucas is an example of a Kappa Slappa — from the name of the clothing brand Kappa and the word slapper. The Gallagher family of the Channel 4 series "Shameless" share many Chav characteristics including alcohol abuse, petty criminality, underage sex and maintaining a large family on state benefits. In this case the family is presented in a sympathetic light in an extension of the "Sympathetic Scally" characters found in Brookside and Boys from the Blackstuff. Derived and similar terms The act of adding superfluous and cosmetic modifications to something is known as chavving up (or shamming up in Ireland), and is particularly relevant if the modifications actually decrease performance. Sometimes this has been used - sometimes derogatively but usually as a joke - of the case modding scene. Related terms for urban or suburban miscreants can be found in the dictionary entry for "chav". The popularity of these terms has grown since the 1980s, and their usage reflects both serious and light-hearted issues arising from changes in British urban life. There are a number of collective nouns for a group of chavs, among the most popular being a chavalanche or a chavalcade. Celebrity Chavs Prince Harry has recently been cited, due to his penchant for baseball caps, sportswear, drinking, and drugs, and for his associations with glamour models. For a certain group of chavs David and Victoria Beckham are particular role models. Michael Carroll is widely regarded as being the epitome of chav culture. When the former dustman won the National Lottery Jackpot of over GBP9 million, he spent a large proportion of his winnings on gold jewellery, alcohol and drugs, and cars. The Reality Television star Jade Goody is widely regarded as a Chav rolemodel having had two highly publicised pregnancies with no obvious income. See also External links
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