Re Chav
I think John Hall is close. Michael Rosen on his Sunday BBC Radio 4
programme on new slang illustrated how our 'rulers' impose names on the poor
and on workers who are also poor. Like Geraldine (and most of us) I am also
a Chav. I also know a couple of Kippers trying hard not to become Chavs.
Kippers: Kids In the Pockets of Parents Extracting their Retirement Savings.
Such a description could only come from the financially loaded - I mean Fat
Cats.
The entry of new words into the lexicon is very interesting, for many are
'made up' words from on high, while some are technical terms. Compilers of
dictionaries have problems with words and terms from the gutter - slang.
Slang is very vibrant because it is very often produced between the poor,
struggling with different languages, in struggling to survive.
Interestingly, what is poured over lowly folk by way of labels, is often
taken up by them to subvert the label - supposed to put a 'hooligan' or a
'chav' in their place.
The brilliance of language is that it is very difficult to control - and the
'Chavs' will win out linguistically!
Best, Rupert
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