chavs?

[missmooncat]

Anyone any idea where this word is from and what it actually means

[jno]

nobody's absolutely certain but it seems to come from the Romany word for boy. Some say it's short for CHeltenham AVerage or something like that, but that's just joky etymology, and not true. I think the question was asked earlier this year so you could do a search on AB - sorry, I can't do it myself now I've started writing this post.

[Quizmonster]

As Jno says above, 'chav' is almost certainly from the Romany/Gypsy word �chavo' or �cavo', meaning a �son' or a �boy'.  Certainly, as �chavvy', travelling people used it to mean the equivalent of �bloke' or �mate' in the 19th century if not earlier. There is even some suggestion that it derives from the ancient Sanskrit word �sava', meaning �son/boy'.
It implied a fellow traveller, so - if a non-traveller used it - it gave the impression he was looking down on the person so addressed.  Nowadays, it seems to refer to anyone, especially a young person, who is considered less intelligent or more obnoxious than the speaker and who tends to exist in a group of people who dress and behave similarly.  It's rather like the �Essex girl' and �medallion man' concepts of a few years ago. Basically, it seems to have transformed from �friend' to �non-friend'!

[Loosehead]

There are several sources but I think the modern "chav" is covered quite well here:

http://www.chavscum.co.uk/

[andy hughes]

I read the word for the first time on this vary Site, and was advised it was Cheltenham, or possibly Chatham Average - although the version I like is Council House And Violent ....!

[missmooncat]

Thanks i`ve checked that site out--very funny!

[gingerflaps]

no no no.....chav is an abrievieation it means Council House And Violence...C.H.A.V.....(speakin from experience)

[spiff]

in carlisle,the word "chav" or "charver" has been used for generations,not as a derogatory word,but as a descriptive one for "boy" or "young man".

[acw]

On behalf of all ABers with roots in Cheltenham (including all the spies) I would like to disclaim any linkage between scallies and our beautiful Cotswold town!!  We do have chavs - but they're not ours!! (Seriously - they've all escaped from Gloucester and moved in!)  The spread of them and their interesting culture isn't our fault!  And thankfully no-one's started making Chav meccas to Gloucestershire.  Please don't go putting ideas in people's heads!!! :-p

acw