h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I know what they are, seen them about (too often!). But where does the name chav come from and what's it mean?

You should define all the terms, preferably in a humorous way

Well, don't take this as being proof absolute, but I believe it is derived from the word ' chavri ', which is Romany for ' child '.

Yes, I came across that theory, also that it derivevs from the town of Chatham.

The Scottish word for Chavs is Ned which stands for'Non-Educated Delinquent' which seems to make more sense. Anyway we can all laugh at them for being neds.

Has anyone heard of Chavs being called Skivs? That's what me and most of my mates call them - we go to boarding school in Dorset. (maybe it's a public school thing?! Weird...)

I live in Portsmouth so I'm surrounded by the horrible yet strangely fascinating creatures...
What gets me, is that they wear all this stuff and still think they look like 'the blinginest dawg on da south side'! it's great!

Ahhh well we have a lot of fun laughing at their inconviences. even if they aren't too appealing they at least have comic value!

Isn't it kevs? We have more than our fair share in the good town of Birmingham. They go as "Trevs" in Oxford, but apparently "chavs" is nationwide.

I believe the term Chav comes from Geordie, at least that's what www.chavscum.co.uk claims

I propose this in the same spirit as Esperanto was started - providing a common language - can't we all just call them ----heads??

There was something about chavs on Word of Mouth on Radio 4 recently. I'd never heard the word before.

TRiG.

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