# What is the most masculine idea of all-time? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2021, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041 "2021-05-27T14:33:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/62 "2021-06-12T15:09:05Z")
I’m his next guest. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/63 "2021-06-12T16:28:19Z")
I’m on next weak! 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/64 "2021-06-14T10:45:38Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Buying a bulletproof vest so you can have a friend shoot you in it has to be right up there. If semi-suicidal pursuits are viable candidates for this thread, then I’ll nominate the **[Manx TT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man_TT)**. This is a motorcycle race on the Isle of Man that has been held almost annually for over 100 years. In contrast to a typical race track with maybe a dozen turns and lots of safety features, this race is six laps of a 37-mile circuit featuring hundreds of turns on public roads. The circuit is closed to traffic during the event, but all of the other attendant hazards remain, like rock walls, curbs, trees, cliffs, painted lines, lampposts, hedgerows, uneven pavement, and so on. Bumps and rises that wouldn’t bother your grandma at normal speeds have these bikes catching serious air at 160 MPH in the middle of quaint English villages. To have even a chance of winning, riders have to memorize every one of the turns on the course; there’s not enough time to react to a turn _after_ you see it coming. Here’s a lovely montage to give you a taste of the insanity: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SfBgHDcau4) The current lap record in the fastest category is 135 MPH. Turn your volume down and take in this rider’s perspective for a bit: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lDhYQFUsV8M/hqdefault.jpg "⚡️LAST LAP✔️ ISLE OF MAN , MANX GRAND PRIX (same street circuit as the TT)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDhYQFUsV8M) Now imagine keeping up that intensity for a full hour and forty minutes. If you screw up, you’re probably going to die. As you might expect, this race is extremely dangerous. Not dangerous as in “…and so we take lots of safety precautions,” but dangerous as in “in spite of the safety precautions we take, riders keep dying.” The early years weren’t quite so bad, but as the bikes got faster, fatalities became more frequent. Over the past few decades, they’ve averaged about three deaths per year. > **[Isle of Man TT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man_TT#Safety)** > > The Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy races are an annual motorcycle racing event run on the Isle of Man in May and June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907. The event begins on the UK Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May and runs for thirteen days. It is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world as many competitors have died. > The Isle of Man TT is run in a time-trial format on public roads closed to the public by an Act of Tynwald. The event consists of one... Women do compete, but they’re few and far between, making this an almost exclusively male event. Which kind of makes sense: it takes a stereotypically masculine level of competitiveness to participate in something like this. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/65 "2021-06-14T13:28:41Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > As you might expect, this race is extremely dangerous. Yes indeed. And I remember reading in one of the motorcycling publications that the factory team riders in MotoGP have it in their contracts that they are not permitted to ride in the TT races because it’s too dangerous, and Ducati, for example, doesn’t want their riders getting killed in a race that isn’t even part of the MotoGP series. So the names of TT greats are different than the names of MotoGP riders. Valentino Rossi never rode the TT, but Joey Dunlop never competed in GP racing. As far as I know, anyway. If he did, he didn’t make it into the top ranks. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/66 "2021-06-15T00:00:57Z")
I have no idea how he did it, but my father was a Marshall at the TT races many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/67 "2021-06-15T20:49:10Z")
You’re right about the Isle of Man TT. I’ve seen it on TV several times. Now that you’ve seen the 2-wheelers, imagine doing that on sidecars. Scrub your mental image of a Harley with a sidecar that looks like a Dutch wooden shoe. Today’s racing side-hack is a low-to-the-ground 3-wheeled race car with low, wide tires. On one side, the driver is folded up behind his little fairing, and the passenger is scrambling from side to side to shift his weight while staying as low as possible to reduce drag. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/68 "2021-06-15T21:00:25Z")
> **[Isle of Man TT sidecar - - Video Search Results](https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrCmmuAEslgyC0AJQ0PxQt.;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?p=Isle%2Bof%2BMan%2BTT%2Bsidecar&type=Y61_F1_148993_102720&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=trp&grd=1&ei=UTF-8&fr=yhs-trp-001#id=1&vid=c049756615d01b4c2c0ebedd45ada27d&action=view)** > > The search engine that helps you find exactly what you're looking for. Find the most relevant information, video, images, and answers from all across the Web. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/69 "2021-06-15T21:28:54Z")
Wow. There ought to be a rule that the drivers have to keep at least one wheel on the ground at all times. Seems like a reasonable requirement for a race… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/70 "2021-06-15T21:35:55Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > The truly offensive amount of time, talent and money poured into the development of Viagra. And even more so, the speed with which it was approved for sale. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/71 "2021-06-16T20:02:10Z")
I wondering what the front wheel was for. They don’t seem to use it very much. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/72 "2021-06-16T20:41:55Z")
At one point the Forest Service thought it would be a good idea to weld 4 Sikorsky helicopters to a blimp. The idea was that the were going to use it to log big ass trees out of the mountains. They actually got 4 helicopter pilots to try and fly the thing. It combines; logging, helicopters, test pilots, a crash and a blimp. [https://youtu.be/\_7jENWKgMPY](https://youtu.be/_7jENWKgMPY) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_7jENWKgMPY/hqdefault.jpg "Piasecki PA97 Helistat Accident Crash - helicopter helium blimp hybrid air vehicle heavy lift") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7jENWKgMPY) ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/73 "2021-06-17T21:35:43Z")
> **[Free solo climbing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_solo_climbing)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of technical rock climbing where the climbers (or free soloists) climb alone without ropes, or other protective equipment, only using their climbing shoes and their climbing chalk. Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe heights, where a fall can be fatal. Though many climbers have free soloed climbing grades they are very comfortabl... ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/74 "2021-06-17T21:44:54Z")
Might have a winner there. One day, Man will climb _to the moon. Unaided_ by containers, canisters and capsules… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/75 "2021-06-17T21:55:15Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > One day, Man will climb _to the moon. Unaided_ by containers, canisters and capsules… Like this only in reverse: [u]\*\*[https://what-if.xkcd.com/157/\*\*[/u]](https://what-if.xkcd.com/157/**%5B/u%5D). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/76 "2021-06-17T22:17:34Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > Free solo climbing [Not solely masculine by a long shot.](https://www.redbull.com/int-en/9-legendary-female-climbers#:~:text=1%20The%20new%20generation%202%20Sasha%20DiGiulian.%20Often,climb%209b%20%285.15b%29%20on%20La%20Planta%20de%20Shiva.) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/77 "2021-06-18T01:03:28Z")
Back in the USAF days I dated a woman officer who was real fierce. At the time we were stationed in Latin America, home of _machismo_. or more like _Machismo_, especially among the officers of the various Latin American air forces we both interfaced with. Those guys were hot shit and knew it to their very bones. When one of them got dismissive towards her, her answer, delivered in good quality Spanish went about like this: > Listen here macho boys, I’m way more _macha_ than you can ever be. Try to keep up. The fact she was a head taller than most Latin men helped. Every now and then it’s a darn shame English doesn’t have full grammatical gender with matching endings and everything. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/78 "2021-06-18T02:04:09Z")
I think _macha_ means different things in different dialects. It can be a derogatory lesbian slur or masculine/butch woman. I’ve heard it used more generally like “be a _macha_, be tough.” Like be a badass. So in that context it’s roughly equivalent to _macho._ I’m just interested in this word because one of my favorite feminist essays of all time uses it (_The Collapsible Woman_). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/79 "2021-06-18T02:07:18Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I think _macha_ means different things in different dialects. It can be a derogatory lesbian slur or masculine/butch woman. Neither she or I knew that then. :eek: Which may have explained a snicker or two in a couple countries. 🤦‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/80 "2021-06-18T02:45:14Z")
In addition to that, the word _marimacho_ may mean tomboy. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041/81 "2021-06-18T06:31:49Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > > [@Lantern2](#): > > > > Free solo climbing > > [Not solely masculine by a long shot.](https://www.redbull.com/int-en/9-legendary-female-climbers#:~:text=1%20The%20new%20generation%202%20Sasha%20DiGiulian.%20Often,climb%209b%20%285.15b%29%20on%20La%20Planta%20de%20Shiva.) Most of these seem to be free climbers rather than free solo climbers where you do not have any protective equipment. While I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few female free solo climbers, I am guessing the field is overwhelmingly male. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-masculine-idea-of-all-time/943041.md?page=5)