The term 'Czech or Croat' is a reference to two distinct ethnic groups in Central and Eastern Europe. The term 'SLAV' is used to refer to both of these groups, as they are both part of the Slavic peoples. The Slavic peoples are an ethno-linguistic group that originated in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They are traditionally divided into three main subgroups: East Slavs, West Slavs, and South Slavs. Czechs and Croats are both part of the South Slavic group.