Is chav a word recognised in other countries than Britain?

Question

Just wondered....

Answer 1

Never heard of it, and my two best friends are English. I am American. Neither of them has ever said chav, and I have known them for 6 years.

Answer 2

I suppose the American equivalent would be something like Trailer Trash or Whiggers. . . from what I know about American culture.

Its very much a British slang word. There are regional variations - "Neds" in Scotland for instance. There is an Irish equivalent but I can't remember what it is.

Answer 3

Most countries have their own equivilant. It is only recently that this word has enjoyed nationwide popularity. We call them Scallies in the northwest, Charvers in northeast

Answer 4

I live in Ireland but I've only ever heard it being used by British people.
Importing British phrases is not terribly fashionable here, as you might imagine.

Answer 5

well, chavas is a South American slang term for a loose woman.
To argue with the above, it has been in the UK for a lot longer than one year, in the south east it has been used for many years beforethe rest of the UK started using it

Answer 6

It is beginning to be now, but as it has only been current in the UK for less than a year, it will take more time to spread.

Answer 7

Not in Australia, I've just been there on hols and no one had heard the word.

Answer 8

I'm a Brit living in the US. Haven't heard it used here.

Answer 9

doubt it as it stand for council housing and vodka/violence . in other countries it would be a different abbreviation as its a differnet language

Answer 10

I do not think we recognize the word. I do not know what it means.