Where does chav come from ?

[vrooom]

few years ago. there is no chavs, now there is everywhere you see. Where they suddenly come from? Is there anything similar to 'chav', if so, what are they called ?

Jay

[agent006]

Could also be derived from the pikey for boy - charva.

[alextgreen]

Chatham Average - apparently the term has been used there for donkeys years.

[Mutant Rat]

agent006 said:

Could also be derived from the pikey for boy - charva.

That was my understanding of the origin of the word. 'Charva' (or Chavva, however you want to spell it - I don't think gypsies are too fussed about the finer points of literacy and spelling), has been around for many, many years.

[JSG]

Someone told me it stood for Council House Associated Vermin.

Don't know how accurate that is though.



Perhaps it should be Couldn't Have A Vectra.

[focusonme]

I'm sure it's something related to Chatham, as in the place in the Kent, though quite what the connection is, I'm not sure. Maybe Chatham Average, as alex suggested.

>> Edited by focusonme on Monday 1st August 22:25

[white_van_man]

im with lois 'council house and violent'

[slinky]

Chatham Average, or Cheltenham Average (the latter apparently coined by the ladies of Cheltenham College)

slinky
587racing.com

[968]

alextgreen said:

Chatham Average - apparently the term has been used there for donkeys years.

Yep as an ex-medway towns resident, I can attest this is what Chav means.

[thunderstruck]

slinky said:

Cheltenham Average (the latter apparently coined by the ladies of Cheltenham College)

Yep, that's true

[Krusty]

One of the many repeats of Only Fools and Horses was on at the weekend (Batman Christmas special) and Del boy referred to his son Damien as 'my little Chav'

[titiany]

Once upon a time I used to use the word chav regularly if I wanted to borrow something - i.e. - 'can I chav your pen for a second???'

but perhaps that's just me

[havoc]

968 said:

alextgreen said: Chatham Average - apparently the term has been used there for donkeys years. Yep as an ex-medway towns resident, I can attest this is what Chav means.

Sadly I can attest the same!!!

How did you escape 968?!?

[pdV6]

jd said:

titiany said: Once upon a time I used to use the word chav regularly if I wanted to borrow something - i.e. - 'can I chav your pen for a second???' but perhaps that's just me No use the word in the same way ^

Not used it like that, but seem to recall hearing it used in that way many moons ago.

I'd also heard the "Cheltenham Average" explanation a while back.

I guess we'll never really know the true starting point; its one of those incredibly useful words that has spread around the country very quickly and everybody's making up the back-story to support why its been 'their' word all along

[72twink]

alextgreen said:

Chatham Average - apparently the term has been used there for donkeys years.

A mate who served his apprenticeship time in the Dockyards at Chatham has known of the term for as long as he can remember.

[Podie]

Must admit I though it was "Cheltenham Average".. although "Council House Average" is another definition I've heard...

[Adom]

The word 'charver' has been used around Newcastle and North East for as long as I can remember. Check out this link for full Charver guidance:

www.newcastlestuff.com/charver/

[scorp]

I do remember the word chav being applied to only young females who have a penchant for hoopy earings, this was about 5 years ago.

[timmy30]

As a sub species the chavs have always been there, the difference is that they are now spreading out of their natural habitat (the council sink estate) into areas previously occupied by the quieter/ gentler social species. Chavs have bizzarely become upwardly mobile under the current benefits system, I spotted a couple shopping (loudly) in Selfridges the other w/e.