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?

  • flamingos-cant (hopepunk arc)@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 month ago

    Chav isn’t really a slur, it’s derogatory sure but not a slur. Also, plenty of British people throw around racial slurs, it just sounds like you know mostly nice people.

  • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 @pawb.social
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    edit-2
    1 month ago

    “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.

  • tetris11@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    1 month ago

    most people I know are against eugenics, but talk about their various dog breeds with such pride and furvor that you wonder

  • shawn1122@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 month ago

    Most British people I know online are against racial slurs…

    Hmm I wonder how South Asian and Black folk feel about this.