What is a man cave and the myths behind the man cave? Join us as we kick over some rocks and find out…
I promise to not envision men in caves with those dinosaur damaging clubs but is this where man caves come from?
And why is it just for men who get the man cave?
I promise to not envision men in caves with those dinosaur damaging club…
The Suburban Legends of the Man Cave
It all starts with the word spread by others where Wikipedia says a man cave is “A manspace, and less commonly a manland or mantuary that is a male retreat or sanctuary in a home, such as a specially equipped garage, spare bedroom, or basement.”
The Urban Dictionary (the gospel of absolute truth!??!) says a man cave is: An area of a dwelling reserved for a male to be away from the rest of the household, to involve himself in certain hobbies without interruption. This area is decorated by the male without interference from any female.
I bet it’s where they can be men doing some mansplaining while manscaping like bros!
There’s plenty of other reputable, respectable, and bend-over-hugging-sore-ribs-coz-I-laughed-so-hard (phew) resources explaining this bro-mantic phenomenon.
There’s plenty of other reputable, respectable, and bend-over-hugging-sore-ribs-coz-I-laughed-so-hard (phew) resources explaining this bromantic phenomenon.
While diving deep into researching this scariest of topics, I also discovered there’s even an entire television series all about man caves! You’ve gotta love cable TV…
[bctt tweet=”There’s plenty of other reputable, respectable, and bend-over-hugging-sore-ribs-coz-I-laughed-so-hard (phew) resources explaining this bromantic phenomenon.” username=”melarowe”]
The Secrets of the ManCave
At the mere mention of the word man cave among the brotherhood, there is the sly nod accompanied by the hint of a grunt, as they refrain from banging their fists on their chests. You have to wonder, is this some secret code hidden beneath their beer bottle caps decipherable only for men?
mention the word man cave among the brotherhood, and there is the sly nod accompanied by the hint of a grunt, as they refrain from banging their fists on their chests
It does seem to be part of a hidden world where men give a knowing nod that, yes, they too share in the bonds of the man cave.
So how long has this been going on?
Is it truly a throwback from cavemen days when man first basked in the days of hunting beasts for brunch?
Is it the place of secrets where their suppressed inner superhero is set free in some unsuspecting corner of suburbia?
Well come on, look at Batman, he’s got the BATCAVE.
Ironman’s got a cave too. And I’m sure there are hundreds of superheroes out there who too have their own version of the humble man cave.
It Starts With A Shed Of Many Names
Rumours about this male ritual—in Australia that is—claim that this phenomenon seems to start with the humble shed.
A what?
Shed.
Also known as the: Toolshed, garden shed, back shed, bike shed, a boat shed, the car shed or carport, the bore shed, and the beer shed that has all been given a modern spin on the title: The Man Cave.
Military bunkhouses are sheds.
Arenas like those used for equestrian events are held in sheds.
So would a roofed sporting arena also be classed as a shed?
But you can’t deny they’re everywhere. They’re found in corners of the suburban yard, in the back of shops, in work yards, on farms, and even at schools and sporting grounds that some call clubhouses.
Oh, and for the fabulous females, they call them she-sheds!
How Can Something So simple Earn So Many Titles?
It’s a shed, right?
A simple roofed structure used for storage or as a workshop or a specific worksite like shearing sheds, or for the humble handywoman crafting her favourite hobby to not mess up her house.
courtesy of WeHeartIt – origin unknown
When Did The Shed Show Up?
It’s unknown exactly where the word Shed comes from, most suspect it arrived around the 15th century as part of the Anglo Saxon term for Shudde or Shadde that is loosely interpreted as a shade or cover structure.
They still do the same thing today by creating a shade from a structure. They come in many shapes, sizes, and even their uses vary as much as the materials used to create them. And in my area, (outback OZ) most people use their shed as a place for entertaining too.
The Shift From Shed to Mancave
It’s supposed to be something that you don’t live in. Technically some countries’ bylaws state you can’t live in a shed, yet so many do…
I know lots of people who live in sheds that don’t look like sheds.
As newlyweds, my grandparents lived in their farm shed as they built their homes. When it was finished and they’d moved in, that shed graduated into a man cave, and was re-titled The beer shed. Not only was it used for the many tools a hardware store would be proud of, but it was also the place to drink and brew their favourite beverage.
Shed parties are a normal part of outdoor entertaining for many. I’ve lost count of the many I’ve been to that also includes the barbecues and weddings held in the wine shed.
I have a character in UNPLANNED PARTY who lives in an amazing shed, that doesn’t look like a shed.
The Many Versions of the Aussie Mancave
Most Aussie men have a man cave.
In northern Australia, many have a beer shed or a beer fridge in their man cave which is found in most suburban backyards. They usually come with a barbecue and a television that plays Football or Cricket in the background at all times.
You might even find a dartboard hanging on the wall over by the fishing rods that lay in wait.
It’s an Australian Icon, where many blokes habituate in the Territory where it’s summer all year round.
Spreading the Man Cave Movement
Somehow, without realising it, until this article, I have written about various forms of the humble shed, including the creation of the ultimate man cave that would be the envy of many men in the outback Elsie Creek Series, in the ART of DUST. In this novel, we can find the ultimate man cave, all made from a Handyman’s shed in the backyard. Or is that She-shed?
In the FOOTBALL WHISPERER, a famous footballer finds himself inside a massive horse shed trying to aid in the recovery of a rescued horse.
In the romantic comedy, AVOIDING THE PITY PARTY not only do we have them working in a hardware shed, but there is also mention of a shed-dweller, and a beer shed kept in the suburban backyard.
And in the iconic and chaotic book UNPLANNED PARTY, the heroine lives in a shed! A nice one too.
Well, I do write about the Australian way of life, that somehow, somewhere, there is always a shed. But how it became known as the man cave remains a mystery to me?
Perhaps you can enlighten me?
**All still images relating to this post’s topic are via CANVA.com
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