The slang term Chad originated in Chicago as a pejorative term for young, upper-class, urban males.[1] In modern internet slang, the term can be similar to "bro" and generally refers to an "alpha male"[2] or otherwise a genetically superior male.[3][4]
Origins
The slang term "Chad" came into use[when?] in Chicago[1] as a derogatory way to describe a young urban American man, typically single and in his twenties or early thirties.[1]
The term later[when?] came into use in incel forums and as internet slang to refer to sexually active, genetically superior men, or "alpha males".[7] Within the manosphere and internet culture, Chads are generally viewed as constituting the top decile in terms of genetic fitness.[8] In online animation drawings in the manosphere, a Chad is further tagged with an explicit last name and is often depicted as a muscular blond man with very pronounced masculine features. One such depiction, in the "Virgin vs. Chad" internet meme of the late 2010s, contrasts an introverted and insecure "Virgin" with a muscular and egotistical "Chad".[9] Chads are sometimes portrayed as the opposite to "omega" or "beta" males, and as physically attractive. The term Chad is sometimes used interchangeably with "slayer".[10] Due to their characterization as being genetically gifted and privileged—though sometimes depicted as shallow, air-headed, arrogant, and overtly sexual[11]—the term Chad is used in both a pejorative and complimentary way on incel forums and on the internet as a whole.[12][13]
The female counterpart to a Chad, in slang, is a "Stacy",[14][15][16][17] or previously, the "Trixie".[18]
^Tracy Swartz (April 24, 2008). "Talk of the town". Chicago Redeye. Retrieved April 2, 2014. But there are terms within this Chi-alect that are specific to the North and South Sides.
^"» Lifecycle". January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
