Where did the 'chav' originate? Is it the north east of england?

Answer 1

Chav is a slang term in the United Kingdom which appeared in mainstream dictionaries in 2005

The term “chav” refers to a subcultural stereotype of people fixated on fashions such as flashy “bling” jewellery (generally gold) along with designer clothing in the Burberry pattern (most famously a now-discontinued baseball cap) and from a variety of other casual and sportswear brands. Musically, chavs tend to like rap, dance, happy hardcore and RnB. Response to the term has ranged from amusement to criticism that it is a new manifestation of classism.

There are a large number of synonyms and regional variations of “chav,” including “scally,” “townie,” “ned,” “Mallie,” and “charva.”[3] It has been suggested that “charva” (or “charv”) predates “chav” as a dialect word in North East England (where the term would be used in referring to an unruly young mine-worker) and Edinburgh, Scotland, and that “chav” may be a derivative term. Both words at least appear to share the same possible etymology in the Romani word “chavi”[4].

The Cockney term “chavvy” for a baby or toddler has been in use for decades and almost certainly derives from “chavi.” In some regions, chavs are referred to as “Burbs,” given their association with Burberry clothing. The term “ned” is the widely accepted term commonly used throughout Scotland to describe a “chav” and is sometimes explained as an acronym of “non-educated delinquent.” The use of the word “chav” can also be traced to the town of Chatham, Medway in Kent, where the word has been in use for several generations to describe a person on the dole. To be “on the dole” was to be “on the chav.” It was a local joke that people from Chatham dressed a certain way and were frequently on the dole, which led to the term “Chatham Chav.”

Many folk etymologies have sprung up to explain the origins of the word. These include backronyms such as “Council Housed And Violent”[5] and “Council House Associated Vermin.” Another common citation derives from school slang that pupils at Cheltenham Ladies College and Cheltenham College supposedly used to describe the younger men of the town – “Cheltenham Average” or “Ch-av”[6]. That article claims that few were aware of this connection in either the school or the town. However some locals would dispute that, claiming that the word was in widespread use long before it was popularised by the media.

The word “chav” was in common usage in and around the town of Faversham in Kent from at least the early 1980s. It was a noun used to describe young local males of working/under class origin. Amongst this group “chav” was also employed as a form of address, more or less synonomous with “mate” in modern Estuary English dialect. The girls were sometimes called “chavettes,” though this was a much rarer usage and employed, albeit pejoratively, in jest. Indeed, the use of the word “chav” was so prevalent at that time that the town became known in certain circles as “Chaversham.” In the early part of the 20th Century the term “young shaver” was often used to describe a young man. It has been argued that “chav” evolved via “shaver.” However, it seems more likely to come from the Romani word “chavo” meaning boy.

In modern Spanish “chaval” means “lad.”

Answer 2

I agree with Oakley!!!

It didn't originate in the beautiful North East. It originated dahn saarf, but as soon as it became an expression of bad taste the suvveners try to blame it on us. Dodgy geezers!

Long live the North South divide

Answer 3

Council Housed ASBO Vandal for all you will possibly desire to understand approximately chavs see hyperlinks below. chav is a gypsy observe for a newborn. so definite that is insulting once you're a young person or older. EDIT. BTW Neither am I!

Answer 4

Nobody in the north east calls them chavs, we say charvers and we are overrun with them.

Answer 5

It originated in UK [2005] as a slang word for subcultural stereotypes--fashion, bling-bling, Burberry pattern etc..It faces amusement to criticism of new magnifications of classicism

Answer 6

Yes we call them NEDS in Jock land and they have been part of our culture for a long time.

They are characterised by the habit of wearing of "sports" clothing whilst smoking cigarettes.

Answer 7

We've had them is Scotland for at least 10 years now but we call them neds.
NED= Non Educated Deviant.

Answer 8

No, down south in the Kent area I believe.

Answer 9

its short for chavvy all the local pikeys used to call us chavvys way back in the early 80's.as for a modern day chav.checkout www.chavtowns.co.uk

Answer 10

WHAT'S CHAV?