Chav
Chav is popular slang term that originated in England but is now used throughout the United Kingdom. It is usually used in a derogatory fashion, referring to a subcultural stereotype of a person with:
- fashions such as flashy "bling" jewellery and/or counterfeit designer clothes (particularly Burberry);
- a tendency to congregate around places such as fast-food outlets or other shopping areas;
- a culture of antisocial behaviour.
In the past such people have been called yobs, bastards, idiots, and compltel total retards!. Response to the term has ranged from amusement to criticism that the term is a new manifestation of classism.
Etymology
Sources disagree on the origin of the word. The Collins English Dictionary suggests that it derives from a distortion of the Anglo-Romany word chavi meaning "child". [1] This word could have entered the English language through English dialects which have borrowed Romany words, such as Cockney where other Romany loan words are common (e.g. mush for "friend"), or Palare a coded slang used first by travelling circus communities, and more recently in theatrical societies and among sections of the gay community.
In contrast, the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary suggests that the word derives either from a nickname for "Chatham girls" [2] or from the Romany word chavo (boy), which is also the source of the Spanish word chaval. It also reports that the word can be used as an adjective e.g. "The bus was full of chav kids." [3]
There are a large number of synonyms and regional variations of "chav", including "pikey", "townie", "scally", "ned" and "charver". [4]
Many folk etymologies have sprung up to explain the origins of the word. These include humorous backronyms, such as "Council House And Violent" [5]. Another commonly cited false etymology derives the word from Cheltenham Ladies' College. Here, it is claimed, the term was coined from the words "Cheltenham Average" (Ch-av), used by the young women of the school to describe less desirable young men of the town [6].
Usage
Though "chav" has similarities to American terms such as "white trash" and "trailer trash", it does not bear the racial overtones of its American counterparts, and, according to the stereotype, many supposed chavs belong to multi-ethnic inner city communities such as London council estates.
Stereotype
The stereotype of the chav is defined by critics of the supposed chav lifestyle. Few people identify themselves as chavs. Note, however, that "lotto lout" Michael Carroll has "King of Chavs" emblazoned on the side of his car and a number plate reading "L111 OUT" (i.e. "lout").
The essential stereotype is of someone conspicuously "common" i.e. lower-class, where "class" is defined by taste as much as (or even instead of) income.
Elements of the stereotype
Typical features of the stereotype include:
- The wearing of particular clothing, such as:
- Brand name athletic clothing and shoes. Stereotypically, this might include white trainers and tracksuits.
- Fake designer clothing and accessories, in particular the distinctive tartan of Burberry, similar to (and perhaps derived from) the casuals of football supporters.
- A love of "bling", that is, gaudy gold jewellery - in particular conspicuous earrings and trinkets on chains for women, and gold sovereign rings for men.
- Sports caps and hoodies. Often both are worn, the hood pulled up over the baseball cap, thus obscuring the wearer's face.
- Sports or jogging trousers, often tucked into white sports socks. These are also referred to as tracky b's or trackies.
- For females, thickly applied make-up, the heavy use of fake tan, a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled back into a tight bun or ponytail, and stilettos.
- An association with crass, drunken behaviour and minor criminal activities. This includes unprovoked attacks on members of the public (see happy slapping), vandalism, verbal abuse and drug abuse. This may be carried out under the influence of cheap alcohol, often after the pubs have closed.
- An association with housing estates and other low-income neighbourhoods.
- The ownership of large, dangerous attack dogs.
- A tastelessly modified car, usually with a basic original specification, but decorated in the style popularized by the film The Fast and the Furious. A high specification music system with amplified bass may also be included.
- A proclivity for under-aged drinking and sex (and, consequently, an association with teen pregnancy).
- Congregating and loitering in areas such as shopping centres, outside off-licences and fastfood carparks.
- A fondness for txt slang.
- Pronunciation of English that is seen to be unsophisticated and characterised by slack diction - for example, the pronunciation of "thing" as "fing".
Commercial impact
The "chav" stereotype and image has had an impact on the commercial world.
The Burberry clothing brand became associated with the chav subculture and ceased production of its branded baseball cap, in an attempt to distance itself from the stereotype. They pointed out that the chav stereotype is associated with counterfeit versions of the clothing: "They're yesterday's news", stated Stacey Cartrwright, the CEO. "It was mostly counterfeit, and Britain accounts for less than 10% of our sales anyway."
Thomson Directories Ltd. has reported that the popularity of "chav culture" has both increased the quantity of listings in certain categories and influenced the way that it categorized its Thomson Local directory. It reports that:
- there has been a 15% increase in alloy wheels suppliers advertising since 2000;
- there has been a 50% increase in the number of car customisation and conversions specialists;
- there has been a 20% increase in car kit assemblers;
- there has been a 15% increase in the size of the car painters and sprayers listing; and
- it has created a whole new heading, renaming the Car Radio Dealers section to Car Audio and Entertainment Systems in 2003.
Media characterisation and comment
Characterisation
The character Vicky Pollard, as portrayed in the BBC comedy series Little Britain by Matt Lucas, is perhaps the most iconic chav. She is often seen in a Kappa tracksuit and describes her activites of under-age drinking and sex, mindless gossip, petty crimes and playing truant. She also has no respect for any form of authority. A similar character, Lauren, appears on The Catherine Tate Show. Like Vicky Pollard, she has a distinctive communication style, using the catchphrases "Am I bovvered?" and "You disrespecting my family?"
The British magazine Viz includes a character called Tasha Slappa, an exaggerated teenage female chav. The strip satirises chav culture. (The character was originally called "Kappa Slappa" until the Kappa company filed a lawsuit against Viz. It is unknown whether the term "Kappa Slappa" predates its adoption by Viz.)
Lottery millionaire Michael Carroll is the self-proclaimed "King of The Chavs" due to his lifestyle and antics. He is frequently derided in the tabloid press for his anti-social behaviour, often referring to him as the "Lottery Lout".
The Welsh rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain have been accused of both embodying and satirizing the chav aesthetic, though the group themselves deny any such agenda [7].
Critique of the stereotype
The widespread use of the chav stereotype has come under criticism from some quarters, many arguing that it amounts simply to classism, and that social problems such as teenage pregnancy, delinquency and alcoholism in low-income areas are no laughing matter. Critics of the term have argued that its proponents are "neo-snobs" [8] and that the increasing popularity of the term raises questions about how British society deals with social mobility and class. [9] In a February 2005 article in The Times, Julie Burchill argues that use of the word is a form of "social racism", and that such "sneering" reveals more about the shortcomings of the "chav haters" than those of their supposed victims. [10] Burchill also produced a Sky One television programme on the topic.
The controversy around the term was also the subject of a Channel 4 documentary in July 2005, entitled simply Chavs.
See also
References
- "British tabloids savage 'snooty' Burberry". 2005-01-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|org=ignored (help) (via Agenda) — reporting the comments of Stacey Cartrwright - White, Alison (2005-07-13). "The chav effect".
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|org=ignored (help) — reporting the effect on the Thomson Local directory
External links
Humour
- ChavScum - A User's Guide to Britain's New Ruling Class
- ChavTowns
- The Devvo "documentaries" by David Firth humorously illustrate aspects of "the chav scene/problem in Northern England"