shack vs. cabin

[Johnny_Namakan]

Today I was talking to one of my lumber suppliers from Wisconsin and the discussion turned to hunting, fishing, etc. I mentioned I was going to the shack this weekend and that my brother was going to the cabin. He asked, what's the difference between a shack and a cabin? I pondered this for a moment and said, well if it is on a lake or river it's a cabin, and if it's just out in the woods then it's a shack. I said the term shack doesn't necessarily describe the condition of the place, since a lot of "shacks" I've been to are nicer than a lot of cabins/homes I've been in. I really started to dwell on this after hanging up with the guy. Everybody I know uses the same terms I do in relatively the same manner. One of our foreman just left for the day and i asked him what he was doing for the weekend, and he said he and the wife were heading to the shack for the weekend. Once again, it's not a description of the place, but more so a description of it's location. So anyway, like I mentioned the best answer I could come up with for the guy was the whole relation to water. On water = cabin , not on water = shack. So I've got a two part question 1) what do all of you call your places and 2) why do you call it what you do....is the term shack a MN. thing, or maybe an iron range thing, or none of the above.

[Roofer]

I agree with you although we still call our hunting shack a cabin. I like our cabin shack better than a cabin because it is not a cabin. It's a cabin in the woods, with no people, just a cabin shack. Our shack is nicer than most cabins, so it's not a shack, it's cabin in the woods, shack is on the lake in the winter, not a cabin....................

Now I'm confused, shack cabin shagin [PoorWordUsage] woops whoa!

I agree, but I don't call it that. LOL!!!!

[echotrail]

I thought a shack was someone who camps out under the rim and slam dunks basketballs for a living and then misses about 60% of the free throws.

[charliepete2]

You can tell if you have a shack or a cabin by asking your wife if she wants to come along. If she's up for it, you have a cabin, if she says call your buddy instead, you've got a shack. Shack's also typically have outhouses and mice problems and woodstove heat.

[52luge]

 Originally Posted By: Hubercita

You can tell if you have a shack or a cabin by asking your wife if she wants to come along. If she's up for it, you have a cabin, if she says call your buddy instead, you've got a shack. Shack's also typically have outhouses and mice problems and woodstove heat.

Wow, when I saw this thread, that's exactly what I was thinking!

You nailed it. That describes our shack to a tee.

[papabear]

Actualy a shack is used for hunting and is called a shack to keep the moe primand proper away

While a cabin is named thus to invite the said prim and proper.

If you hunt in a cabin the women who do not hunt may come along and the atmosphere will not be hte same.

[Johnny_Namakan]

Good answers!! We call it a shack so the wives stay out, perfect Never thought of that before, but it makes perfect sense. Way back in the day our forefathers must have thought long and hard about how to build a "retreat" that they could escape to and still not upset the wives about going. Let's call the place a "SHACK", brillant!

True enough about shacks having outhouses and wood heat, more great determining factors!

I wonder what women would call their place if they all got together and built a place that they didn't want us to go to......maybe, "The Money Pit."

[Bigeye30"]

 Originally Posted By: Johnny_Namakan

Good answers!! We call it a shack so the wives stay out, perfect

I wonder what women would call their place if they all got together and built a place that they didn't want us to go to......maybe, "The Money Pit."

They have them, they call them MALLS!!!

[idratherbefishing]

LOL Bigeye!

[Coach1310]

For me...

Cabin- has to be on the water and women are welcome

Shack- in the woods, women need special permission

Shanty- the thing you sit in on the ice

[UdeLakeTom]

I think years back, for tax purposes, there was a difference in some counties. It had to do with the purpose of the building and it's size. Not sure how it was figured out.

[mrklean]

Cabin up north someplace near water to get away with the fam for the weekend. Shack a place out in the middle of the woods where you and the boys toss back a few root beers smoke some cigars and try to do some hunting

[DonBo]

Never really thought about it, but we call our place a shack (even though it's nice) and it's in the woods, has an outhouse and wood heat.

Guess it IS a shack!

[MNcanepole]

When other people tell me they are going to their CABIN I tell them we might go up to ours to. When me and the guys are going north to hunt or fish it's always the SHACK. Our cabinshack or shackcabin is in the woods.

[Crappie Killer]

Could it be linked to how much money you got?

poor people have shacks

middle class have cabins

rich people have cottages?

[MNcanepole]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have friends that have what they call a cabin in Wisconsin it's a $800,000.00 home. We have a place in the woods up north, with the property 1+acre we bought it for peanuts 27 years ago and it isn't worth all that much more today it is a "SHACK" but we really enjoy it.

[tealitup]

Here is our hunting shack!

[Sandmannd]

Yep, that's a shack hehehehe. Would be great for hunting.

[Coach1310]

Bringing a picture of that home would definitely keep the wife away A great looking shack. Thanks for sharing.

[Pikeslayer]

You guys think WAY TO HARD!!

[tealitup]

The wife went to the shack once. Would never spend the night there. I can honestly say it is the most peaceful place I have ever found. Deer, moose, bear and wolves can be spotted in the front yard at times.

One year my cousin could not get out of the outhouse until a herd of moose moved on. He said "I was trapped in the shi_ _er"

[Sandmannd]

Hey Teal, I have the perfect trailer to go with your shack. Check it out My Trailer

[tealitup]

 Originally Posted By: Sandmannd

Hey Teal, I have the perfect trailer to go with your shack. Check it out My Trailer

Then we would have to upgrade the furniture; maybe even mow the lawn. Sorry I can not handle that responsibility

[Macgyver55]

We have a cabin on the lake that the wife will go to, and a place further north she wont go to. It meets all the criteria to be called a "shack" but we fondly refer to ours as "The Fort"!

[Hooliganz]

Yes, I agree with BigEye the woman have the malls to go to if they want to get away! We call our place a "shack" and it is on a lake but the lake is a mud hole?