# The prefix 'man' as a rib. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 30, 2009, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270 "2009-03-30T07:12:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Captain\_Gutgore\_Blooddrink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Captain\_Gutgore\_Blooddrink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Gutgore_Blooddrink)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/1 "2009-03-30T07:12:43Z")
I was watching TV with my roommates today when a commercial with Howie Long for a truck (I think it was a Silverado) came on. He poked fun at another guys truck for having a step attached to the bed, which he called a “MANstep.” This isn’t the first time I’ve heard the prefix MAN used as a rib towards other guys. Anyone know where this tradition started? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/2 "2009-03-30T08:35:58Z")
Well [man-flu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXLHWmjA5IE&feature=related) would be a good place to start - it’s been gaining ground over the last year or so. A man doesn’t get laid low by something as insignificant as a “cold”, he has " 'flu". From this perhaps the idea that “manthings” are just that bit above (more serious) other things. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/3 "2009-03-30T08:42:22Z")
With the man purse? [http://thesatchelpages.com/](http://thesatchelpages.com/) _“Sick and tired of friends and co-workers who always seem to get a large charge when they see you lugging around your man purse?”_ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/4 "2009-03-30T08:58:37Z")
Back in 1969, they introduced the [Manwich](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manwich) product line. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/5 "2009-03-30T13:16:57Z")
> [@Chief\_Pedant](#): > > With the man purse? [http://thesatchelpages.com/](http://thesatchelpages.com/) > > _“Sick and tired of friends and co-workers who always seem to get a large charge when they see you lugging around your man purse?”_ I have to say that that’s one of the best URL names I’ve ever seen, and it’s completely wasted on its actual content. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Gutgore\_Blooddrink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Captain\_Gutgore\_Blooddrink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Gutgore_Blooddrink)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/6 "2009-03-30T16:32:15Z")
> [@Chief\_Pedant](#): > > With the man purse? Man-purse was the first use I thought of when I asked the question. I hadn’t even thought of the Manwich. ---
**Author:** ![imfloating](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bc79bd/32.png) [@imfloating](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imfloating)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/7 "2009-03-30T17:19:15Z")
Let’s not forget The Manzeer. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/8 "2009-03-30T18:25:31Z")
Man-boob ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/9 "2009-03-30T19:44:18Z")
> [@imfloating](#): > > Let’s not forget The Manzeer. I believe the proper spelling is ‘Manzier’, since it’s a play on ‘brazier.’ Of course, that’s a moot point if you’re a fan of ‘the bro.’ ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/10 "2009-03-30T20:25:29Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > I believe the proper spelling is ‘Manzier’, since it’s a play on ‘brazier.’ Sounds [hot](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brazier%5B2%5D). I think you meant [brassiere](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brassiere). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prefix-man-as-a-rib/491270/11 "2009-03-30T21:03:33Z")
Need to do something manly? Put on your [man pants.](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Man%20Pants) Could be 14oz denim, cavalry twill, flannel, tweed. Must be sturdy, becoming, and not too high-waisted. Just done something unmanly? Turn in your [man card.](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Man+Card) Crying about anything other than death or sports losses is enough.