cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/38193993
I learned a new word, and it turns out the word is a slur for a person who is working class. That seems very nasty, considering that statistically speaking, working class people are the majority of Britain. Most British people I know online are against racial slurs yet throw around the slur “chav” like it’s nothing. Why?
“Chav” is as much a slur as “trailer trash” or “gang banger.”
The common usage is about a very specific type of person based on their behavior and style choices. Not their actual class in society. Trailer trash doesn’t have to be poor or even live in a trailer. Gang bangers don’t have to be in gangs (or minorities). Chavs don’t have to be working class.
When I hear “chav” I dont think of working class people. I think of people who look, act, and sound like Sasha Baron Cohen’s character Ali G.