chav

Meaning

A working-class youth, especially one associated with aggression, poor education, and a perceived "common" taste in clothing and lifestyle.

Synonyms

prole

bogan

'' ned

'' westie

gopnik

Translations

coatto

prolo

cacou

scugnizzo

tamarro

zingaro

zotico

proleet

flaite

persona vulgar

Proll

pacorro

Pronounced as (IPA)

/t͡ʃæv/

Etymology

Cognate with Romany: chavi

Cognate with Swedish: tjej

Cognate with Portuguese: chavalo

Cognate with Spanish: chaval

Cognate with German: Chabo

Cognate with Russian: чувак

Cognate with Hungarian: csávó

In summary

Origin uncertain; probably of Angloromani origin. Compare Romani chavi (“male child”) or ćhavo, shavo (“female child”), chal (“boy”), chavvy (“mate, friend”), compare Swedish tjej; possibly cognate with Portuguese chavalo, Spanish chaval, German Chabo, Russian чувак (čuvak), Hungarian csávó. See also charva.
Derivations from council-housed and violent, Cheltenham average (and similar) are folk-etymological backronyms.