C: Nomenclature ~ What’s a “Cabin?”

cabinI love words.  As a part of that interest, I love to consider regional differences in language.  In my next life, I think I’ll be a linguist.  This morning brought a discussion/disagreement on this very topic.  Although I doubt it is a “regional” question in this particular usage, I find it interesting.  (Yes, I am easily amused)

Son and I were riding in the car together.  We passed a lovely, two-story, square-log home that is on our regular route.  (V will know immediately the place I am talking about).   He commentedlog house on it, calling it a “log cabin.”  This is NOT an actual picture of the place, but is here for illustrative purposes (such as the size of the structure!)

This is reminiscent of his father, who also made this mistake of nomenclature.    The house in question must be over 3,000 square feet—a “cabin” it’ ain’t.   The second picture on the page ain’t a “cabin,” either.

cabin2I remarked on this, saying I did not think a “cabin” could actually be over two rooms.  He argued.

In fact, Merriam-Webster online defines “cabin” as “a small, simple house made of wood” (disregarding the part about airplanes and ships).  Therefore, I rest my case!

He’s not convinced, however, feeling that the logs are the defining element of a “cabin.” 

Wrong, wrong, wrong again.  Youlumber cabin can have a lumber-sided cabin—but not a brick one (in my mind).

Okay, weigh in—what constitutes a “cabin” for you?  --C

Comments

Vee said…
A cabin must be logs and have only one room. LOL. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to define something for myself. What your son wishes to call a cabin is a lodge. What would you call it?
Yes, I quite agree with Vee! What "A" is calling a cabin IS definitely a lodge!
Cowgirl V
Vivianne said…
LOL that last pic is a garden shed. Or *maybe* a type of summer house :)
LivingVintage said…
I totally agree with you. A cabin is a structure of 1-2 rooms, made with logs!

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