“Man Cave” Reasoning beyond the captivating cognomen...

[OldCarGuy]

There has been a lot of talk around the Internet as to naming a man's garage, basement, or just space “Man Cave.” I will not use that term to describe my retirement complex. To me “Man Cave” represents a concept of being a hideout that married men need to escape from their wives. A far more appropriate name for my garage shops would be, “Dad's Toy Shop.” A name my children assigned to my garages years ago. And went as far a purchasing the sign that hangs over the door. It should be upgraded to “Grandpa's” though.

My Toy Shops do not have any televisions, radios, sofas, telephones, or a refrigerator filled with beer.. I just don't have time nor the desire for that. Instead I'm always happily busy working in solitude on some sort of project... Or simply organizing away something,,, and again. I'm never escaping from anybody or anything. There's no need for that. Rather it's my Playpen where I can build anything my mind contrives or my heart desires. And every single time I pass through that door. I feel a deep sense of accomplishment and a smile instantly appears on my face. This is my reward for fifty years that I've worked so hard to create. What more can anyone ask for. I have successfully raised ten children, have eleven grand children, a beautiful (well maybe not to E-Tek) and understanding wife, along with good health. I'm happy to having it all! And I thank the Good Guy Upstairs every day for giving me yet another day to enjoy my little slice of Heaven... Long ago I've learned that life stops for no one, and we journey through this World but once.

So take the time to live the joy...




{Now if you'll please excuse me,,, OldCarGuy will be stepping down off the soapbox}


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[ghnl]

I don't like Man Cave either. How about Man Mansion?

 

[Rando]

How about Manopolis

 

[PurdueSD]

Well said! And a great outlook!

You know, everyone ewwwes and ahhhs over all your equipment. Trust me, I do too!

But to me what is more impressive is the lifetime of knowledge and skill you have to use your tools. I would love to have one of ___insert random equipment name here____ for example... But it would just take up space, because i wouldn't have the slightest clue how to run it... If i could only find someone around here with a "Toy shop" like yours who needs some company a couple nights a month...

Kudos to you!

 

[nonhog]

Agree ! I am the only gearhead at my house. I dont mind if my wife comes in
now and again. I enjoy my shop the most when I'm alone and its quiet.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Re: ?Man Cave? Reasoning beyond the captivating cognomen...

I agree on the 'no need for TV or a couch' (although I don't mind some music while I work). Each guy should get whatever he wants out of his shop or garage -- but for me it's about having a place to get stuff done, not hide from my wife. It's probably my own shortcoming, but if my garage were too much bigger, I think it might start to get difficult to keep it clean. I like to be 30 minutes away from having it be back to square one and ready for the next job, whether that's going to happen in ten minutes or ten weeks.

For me, it's nice to be able to roll the race car out into the driveway, close the door, and have a clean workspace that's ready to go.

Gratuitous garage pictures:

(But one thing: Cognomen? What's up with Latin on the garage BBS?)
________
vaporizer review
________
medical marijuana strains

 

[Stuart in MN]

Men don't need any cutesy names. It's a garage, or a shed, or a shop.

 

[tdkkart]

I know I threw a fit when I first saw the ceramic tile floor, but I wish you would quit with the pictures of it, it's starting to grow on me............

 

[fatboy99]

Mine is called The Men's Crisis Center

Brad

 

[Kevin54]

Re: “Man Cave” Reasoning beyond the captivating cognomen...

I know I threw a fit when I first saw the ceramic tile floor, but I wish you would quit with the pictures of it, it's starting to grow on me............

I know the more I see Jack's tile floors the more I love it The complete garage looks fantastic. I only have about 557 different directions I can go now for when I redo my garage

 

[fxdlryan]

My detached garage had a string of nicknames until I found and hung this antique glass panel, now everyone calls it The Insane Asylum.

 

[82_454_shorty]

Everybody has there own idea of what makes a great garage. I have the fridge, stereo etc. but do lots of work on my projects.

Live and let live I say.

 

[WC Lathe Werks]

Mine is "The Bunker"

 

[bluesman2a]

Mine is "The Bunker"

Sorry man, "The Bunker" is already WELL taken around here. Search for the thread over in the garage gallery... Not many around here compare to that.

OCG, GREAT words there sir!

I love my wife dearly, but she has come to know over the years that when I'm in the shop, I'm checked out of the normal grind. It was funny, the first year we were married, she learned to open the door a crack, if she didn't hear cussing, grunting, or hammering it was safe to come in. The second thing she learned was to ASK (especially if I was under a vehicle at the time) if I could take a moment to talk. She's a smart one, my gal, even better yet, she's stayed around for almost 10 years now...

 

[lojim]

'Man Hole'

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

'Man Hole'

That would be a great name for a gay bar...Manholes...you could have the whole street theme thing going on...:supergay:

 

[Uncle Buck]

I claimed the handle Skunkworks for my cramped space long before I arrived here (though obviously stolen) I have always loved the name.

No room for fridges, and overstuffed furnishings, but if I did have room I would not add that stuff (it's just not me) I do have an old cast off radio I listen to a bit when I am just piddling around though.

 

[gsport]

for me it's either "the big shop" or "the little shop"

 

[lojim]

That would be a great name for a gay bar...Manholes...you could have the whole street theme thing going on...:supergay:

Actually it's my wife's fault. At the old house I had a hatch in the floor to the basement (like a hole). Nothing was down there except my beer fridge. She kept calling it a 'the hole.' My buddies would stop by for a beer in the 'hole.' It was then the 'man hangout in the hole' which was shortened to the 'man hole.' Now that we have moved it has just stuck. I think any space that is mine is going to be called the 'man hole' by my wife for years to come.

 

[bluesman2a]

I claimed the handle Skunkworks for my cramped space long before I arrived here (though obviously stolen)

IBTW, The name of my shop is "The Skunkworks" and has been for years!

It's OK, UB... You can tell us how you really feel, no need to let it eat you or anything.

 

[Frank Elson]

Mine's called a workshop. It's where I work on stuff.
When I get one big enough to get the motor in as well I'll probably call it a garage.

 

[Uncle Buck]

It's OK, UB... You can tell us how you really feel, no need to let it eat you or anything.

I guess I am missing your point? I stole the name Skunkworks just as everyone else that might have used it for decades has stolen it so I guess I am missing your point.

Oh, it just hit me, you are the guy with the skunkworks build here aren't you?

I was not sending you any message at all if that was what you were thinking.

 

[Jared]

Men don't need any cutesy names. It's a garage, or a shed, or a shop.

Agreed, no TV or couch for me just a place to store/work on my junk.

 

[ghnl]

Shed, eh? Don't know if this has been posted before but it is funny...

 

[e-tek]

Mine's "The Shop", though I'd like to have a sign painted on the overhead doors that says: "E-tek Racing" or "Lastname & Sons Automotive" just for fun.

 

[goodfellow]

Shed, eh? Don't know if this has been posted before but it is funny...

great commercial! Australian humor is "classic"

 

[JohnMcD348]

I'm not really certain what to call my setup. I am lucky enough that I have two rooms in my home that I basically call my own. 1 is the garage. For the moment it's pretty unused. We just moved in about 3 months ago and it's still got alot of boxes and such in there. There's enough room in it now for me to bring in my Bronco that I am working on and other times the wife parks her Escape in it. My regular driver is too large to fit in ti even when it gets cleaned out. My second and up to now, most used room is a 4th bedroom. It's just me, my wife and our son. We have a third bedroom for guests(when or if they ever happen by) which leaves a 4th that I use.

It has my Radios, Tv, Computer, Reloading Bench and work table, a couple of book shelves and a recliner. It's not a Man Cave, it's not an Office, It's just called MY ROOM. My son could very well be in there any time of the day watching Sponge Bob or I could be in watching an episode of Emergency on the classic TV channel but mostly I'm sitting at the computer checking out the web.

My Garage does have an area that can be setup for a small work area. I will build a bench there eventually and looking through the forums I am getting ALOT of great ideas for what I wil be doing once I get the garage cleaned out and can start working full time on my projects I have in mind.

 

[Cutch]

I do sometimes call it the Man Cave...actually have a sign up on the wall inside that says that...that being said....it is not exclusive to the men....the garage portion is 26x26 and there is a back room that is 10x26...have sat tv...wireless computer...beer...couch and a couple of chairs....the back room has about 3 play kitchen areas that my 2 young girls play tea with....in the wintertime I move the vehicles out of the garage area so the girls can ride their bikes around...gives them something to do different than staying in the house on the very cold days.

On the outside of the garage I had a sign made that says Munroe's Garage est 2005 (that is my wife's maiden name and her and I did most of the work building it...she was in charge and I helped her).

They are just names but mostly call it the Garage.

 

[Farmallgray]

My only reason for wanting a TV is so I could listen to the NASCAR races on sunday afternoons while still doing something useful. I can't just sit and watch a race (well maybe at Bristol), but I like keeping up with it. If I had a TV I could be working and listening, but then look up at it when something interesting happens.

 

[Broncoholic]

Our new garage has an address. We call it Suite 100

Just an old radio for now to listen to Mark Levin tell us how well Obama is doing. Need a 42" LCD to watch my shows on spike & speed on the weekends. Any one have a nice TV to trade for a Miller Mig welder?

 

[stricht8]

I just call mine the garage but I don't see what's wrong with mancave. I think it's kind of funny. And the whole escape from the wife thing is kind of funny. I don't think most of us truly want our women out of the way for too long. And what's wrong with a beer fridge!

 

[Jaguar Fan]

Mine's just the garage.

But I DID name my wife's purse: "The Black Hole of Calcutta." Somehow she manages to fit about 3 cubic feet of woman stuff in it. Then, of course, she'll ask me to retrieve X from it for her, and I'll just shudder and say I can't put my hand inside the Black Hole of Calcutta.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

... But to me what is more impressive is the lifetime of knowledge and skill you have to use your tools...

+1 ^^^^^^

OCG, you've heard the expression "scholar & gentleman." You, sir, are a "Tool Scholar & Garage Gentleman." And I mean that as a compliment.

I wish I lived in your neighborhood just to occaisionally hang out & talk cars & watch you use your tools!

 

[Schtauffer]

Its "The Garage".

 

[r6_cannibal]

I've never liked the term man cave, it's just a weird visual picture for me.

I have no term for the place I work on things other than the garage. Some of my friends call it the lab due to the electrical testing equipment I have but I'm not fond of it. Makes it sound like I run a Meth lab at home when my friends refer to my garage in public.


I agree with others here though. The garage should be a place to venture forth into, not retreat from the wife.

 

[Coach James]

Mine is just the "garage" although my work often spills out into the driveway. Someday when I have a seperate building in the back yard, it will be called "the shop."

I mean no offense to anyone but "mancave" always made me think of guys that are trying to be "regular guys" and think all men are supposed to act like the overgrown children they see in beer and pickup truck commercials.

A couple times I watched part of that show where the fat guy(Tony Siragusa I think) helps some yuppie type design and build his "man cave". Both times it was filled with video games, stereos etc but never anything resembling tools.

Coach

 

[rieferman]

mine was previously called "the barn", or often "that mother effing piece of sh_t barn" or similar.

now I sometimes slip up and call the parking portion "the garage", the exercise portion "the exercise room", the woodshop area "the workshop". But usually, it's still "the barn" but without the expletives (at least right now)

edit: regarding retreating from the wife... she's begun to hang out in the exercise room while I'm out there. It's kind of nice to have someone to talk to actually, especially her because we get along really well.

 

[Falcon67]

I like the Aussie term "shed". I never did like "man cave". I have A/C, heat and did have satellite but that went down when the shed feed got hurt. I can just use the laptop to run DVDs. Two Lane Blacktop, etc. The TV got booted for space reasons.

But I DID name my wife's purse: "The Black Hole of Calcutta." Somehow she manages to fit about 3 cubic feet of woman stuff in it.

Mine has had some of those - she used to carry around a two story double-wide, but now she favors a more modest single wide. I'm good for a slap every time when "I can't find X" " Well, look under the sink." Bad boy, no biscuit.

She also likes to tell people "he can have all that out there, but no potty" To which I respond "there's a big pecan tree right out back". *SLAP* I just invite it. Good thing we like each other a lot.

 

[babzog]

I've never liked the term man cave, it's just a weird visual picture for me.

I have no term for the place I work on things other than the garage. Some of my friends call it the lab due to the electrical testing equipment I have but I'm not fond of it. Makes it sound like I run a Meth lab at home when my friends refer to my garage in public.


I agree with others here though. The garage should be a place to venture forth into, not retreat from the wife.

+1 on that last.

I think "the Lab" is a great name! Reminds me of Nortel (RIP) where the various buildings were labeled Lab 1, Lab 2, etc and the various labs inside each were filled with racks of equipment, cabling, power systems, etc.

Mine are "the garage" (what is attached to the house) and "the shop" (the outbuilding that is transitioning from shed to multi-purpose shop).

 

[metal1313]

my family calls it my "other room" since i spend more time in my shop than i do in my room. i dont have tv, but do have a stero, and a small fridge. the fridge does have beer in it but more water than beer. and its not a garage really because we have never managed to get a car into it. for a while it was the bike barn, since i had bicycles every where, and a line of motorcycles down the middle. before that it was the slip. when my parents moved in shortly after i was born there was an old boat sitting on the floor in the garage. when they had a clean up guy come he couldnt figure out how to get rid of it