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Word 'chav' to be banned?
People should stop using the word chav, a left-wing think tank has recommended.
The widely-used term is, according to dictionaries, derogatory slang for a young person of low social status, often wearing designer sportswear.
The Fabian Society's Tom Hampson says the term betrays a deep level of "class hatred" and is "deeply offensive to a largely voiceless group".
But Simon Donald, the co-founder of Viz Magazine, said the word was meant to be an insult - and that was fine
Mr Hampson, who is Fabian Society editorial director, says in an article that the word is "sneering and patronising", and compared it to other controversial words such as "faggot" and "pikey".
"Some uses of some words fall below the threshold of acceptability and some are definitely above it.
"Chav is way above that threshold. It is deeply offensive to a largely voiceless group and - especially when used in normal middle-class conversation or on national TV - it betrays a deep and revealing level of class hatred."
And he said "it is distancing, turning the chav into the kind of feral beast that exists only in tabloid headlines".
It was an example of the middle classes using language to belittle the lower classes, he said.
"This is middle class hatred of the white working class, pure and simple."
But Simon Donald of Viz said it was the Fabian Society itself which was patronising.
"Amongst everyone who I can see who uses the term it's meant as a term to put others down and there's always going to be language in society that does that.
"And I think the Fabian Society's attempts to step in and become the voice of the working classes is frankly patronising."
The Oxford English Dictionary classes chav as derogatory British slang.
It is defined as "a young person of a type characterised by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of designer-style clothes (esp. sportswear); usually with connotations of a low social status".
What do you reckon? Chav: foul or fair? People should stop using the word chav, a left-wing think tank has recommended. ... more -
Hug-a-hoody speechwriter beaten up by hoodies
We all remember David Cameron's infamous hug-a-hoody campaign, well it wasn't his brainchild, it was the work of a certain Danny Kruger.
His soft approach to youth crime didn't seem to pay when he chased down some youths who were trying to steal a moped; he and a friend ended up with a bust lip and a black eye.
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Crikey! No More Pikey!
According to reports today, the word 'Pikey' is now a race hate word. A man has been
given a 12-month community order and told to do 200 hours of unpaid work all for repeatedly calling a Nightclub Bouncer the aforementioned 'race hate word.'
Imagine if Mickey from Snatch had been there, check the video for a bit of a remix on Mickey and his language barriers...
Video Does Contain Swearing! According to reports today, the word 'Pikey' is now a race hate word. A man has been ... more -
Bicycles That Carry Powerful Beats, and Even a Rider or Two
A new biker gang is roaming the streets of Richmond Hill, Queens. This crew of mostly teenagers can be seen riding along 103rd Avenue just west of the Van Wyck Expressway. The bikes roar, but the booming sound has nothing to do with engines because there are no engines. They are ordinary bicycles, not motorcycles, although these contraptions look and sound more like rolling D.J. booths. They are outfitted with elaborate stereo systems installed by the youths.
This one puts out 5,000 watts and cost about $4,000, said Nick Ragbir, 18, tinkering with his two-wheeled sound system, with its powerful amplifier, two 15-inch bass woofers and four midrange speakers. It plays music from his iPod and is powered by car batteries mounted on a sturdy motocross bike A new biker gang is roaming the streets of Richmond Hill, Queens. This crew of mostly teenagers can be seen riding along 103rd Avenue ... more -
Burberry Checks Out
The manufacture outsourcing of British fashion brand Burberry has led to unemployment for hundreds of workers in the Rhonnda Valley, mimicking the devastating effects of pit closures in the '80s. The manufacture outsourcing of British fashion brand Burberry has led to unemployment for hundreds of workers in the Rhonnda Valley, m... more
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Chavs
