Chauvin was so fiercely loyal to Napoleon that he became a figure of ridicule for his extreme nationalism. His name was later used to describe any excessive, unreasonable patriotism or fanatical devotion to one's nation or group.
The term first appeared in the early 19th century, shortly after the Napoleonic Wars. It was popularized by the French playwright Scribe, who used it in his play "La Cocarde Tricolore" (The Tricolor Cockade). The play depicted Chauvin as a character who embodied excessive patriotism and blind loyalty.
Since then, "chauvinism" has been used to describe any form of extreme nationalism, whether it be political, cultural, or religious. It can also refer to excessive loyalty to a particular group, such as a sports team or a social class.