Who You Poggin' Chav?

People often say to me "Redvers, you're from Kent, is it true that the word Chav is derived from that neck of the woods?".

Surprisingly the answer is "pretty darn right it does". If you happened to be growing up in the Medway towns of Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Strood and Rainham in the 1960's, it was a word you used all the time. Today its meaning has changed.

Originally, "a Chav" was definitely a bloke, but you could apply it in different ways. For example, you're in the pub loo, someone comes and stands next to you. Potentially a tricky situation but then an "Alright Chav" might then be exchanged. This could confer respect as in "You OK there Geezer".

But if you happened to be waiting for the bus home in Military Road, you might glance at someone at an adjacent bus stop who is not happy with your glancing technique. A "Who you poggin' Chav?" levelled in your direction was more of a "Who do you think you're looking at pal?" and your answer and ability to "look 'ard" would certainly have a bearing on whether you might need to call in at the A&E on your way home.

Is there a definitive word for Chav? I like to think "Mate". Just because someone calls you Mate, it doesn't necessarily mean he is one.

*Poggin" verb, pog, to look at.