OP, you’ve been at this for weeks (longer?) and you’re the only one, ever, in the comments who cares that people use the word ‘chav’. Because it’s the best and only viable answer to the question.
If you actually do want to change things, try to come up with a better word and then try to get people to use it. It can even be an existing word. Language is always changing, and people repurpose words all the time, either because they don’t like the original meaning, or they think the new meaning fits the word better. You can potentially do the same, but it takes a lot more effort than complaining about the original word/meaning.
If you’re serious about the effort, consider asking ChatGPT — or better yet, some linguists — what a better, less-offensive word could be, and try to use it in conversation. We’ve moved away from words not thought to be offensive at the time which are now considered offensive because we’ve found better words. Like when I was a kid, “retard” was a mean thing to say but it wasn’t really a bad word. Now it is. You still do see the word in science and industry; as a verb, it means to slow or to restrict something (like a valve). As a noun though, as a word to describe a person, it’s bad. The original meaning of “mental retardation” was scientifically and medically accurate, but because it became a noun and a slur we’ve moved to “developmentally disabled.” There are even more liberal words and phrases though, the forefront (to my knowledge) being “person with disability” or “differently abled.”
So, it can happen, because it has happened. But complaining will ensure that it doesn’t.
The next time I see a post about this from you in my feed, I’m blocking. I’m just tired of seeing it every few days. That said, if you want to try to change things the right way, I’ll back your play. Up to you.
OP, you’ve been at this for weeks (longer?) and you’re the only one, ever, in the comments who cares that people use the word ‘chav’. Because it’s the best and only viable answer to the question.
If you actually do want to change things, try to come up with a better word and then try to get people to use it. It can even be an existing word. Language is always changing, and people repurpose words all the time, either because they don’t like the original meaning, or they think the new meaning fits the word better. You can potentially do the same, but it takes a lot more effort than complaining about the original word/meaning.
If you’re serious about the effort, consider asking ChatGPT — or better yet, some linguists — what a better, less-offensive word could be, and try to use it in conversation. We’ve moved away from words not thought to be offensive at the time which are now considered offensive because we’ve found better words. Like when I was a kid, “retard” was a mean thing to say but it wasn’t really a bad word. Now it is. You still do see the word in science and industry; as a verb, it means to slow or to restrict something (like a valve). As a noun though, as a word to describe a person, it’s bad. The original meaning of “mental retardation” was scientifically and medically accurate, but because it became a noun and a slur we’ve moved to “developmentally disabled.” There are even more liberal words and phrases though, the forefront (to my knowledge) being “person with disability” or “differently abled.”
So, it can happen, because it has happened. But complaining will ensure that it doesn’t.
The next time I see a post about this from you in my feed, I’m blocking. I’m just tired of seeing it every few days. That said, if you want to try to change things the right way, I’ll back your play. Up to you.