Chav

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /tʃav/
• Rhymes: -æv

Origin

Origin uncertain (see discussion page); probably of Angloromani origin. Compare Romani chavi ("male child") or chavo, shavo ("female child"), chal ("boy"), chavvy ("mate, friend"), compare Swedish tjej; possible cognate with Spanish chaval. See also charva.

Noun

1. (UK, pejorative, offensive) A working-class youth, especially one associated with aggression, poor education, and a perceived "common" taste in clothing and lifestyle.
• 2011, ‘Giving the poor a good kicking’, The Economist, 18 Jun 2011:His book concerns ‘chavs’, a supposed underclass of ill-educated, fast-breeding, violent and amoral poor people currently plaguing Britain.

Synonyms

• See

Derived terms

• chavelling
• chavette
• chavster
• chavtastic
• chavving
• chavvy

Anagrams

• HVAC