Huh, to me, 'chyx' is just a way of misspelling 'chicks' that adds to it a self-conscious "nudge nudge, wink wink, i know this is a potentially offensive word but this form is self-conscious so you know I don't really mean it".

This creative misspelling isn't even an option out loud. I suppose I have been known to use one form or the other written and out loud, but I'm much more likely to instead use the term "gals"--of course this is strictly in situations with parallel constructions involving "guys".

I'm not actually clear why "chicks" is sexist and degrading. I'd think referring to womena as "you guys" would be even more sexist and degrading.

Actually, I wouldn't really think that, as I don't notice that construction at all, but it's something Douglas Hofstadter gripes about, and it's an interesting case