The phrase 'a man's home is his castle' is a common saying in the English language, but it can still confuse anyone who has not heard it before. The phrase is less common in some parts, and more common in others. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and correct use of the saying.
Meaning
'A man's home is his castle' is a common type of figurative saying in the English language.
When it is used, the phrase 'a man's home is his castle' implies that someone can do whatever they want in their own domain or home.
The phrase is said with somewhat insulting implications, as it implies that someone has no business to ask, imply, or order what someone does in their own home.
The phrase can be adapted to say that 'a woman's home is her castle', and the phrase shows no sexual or gender bias.
The phrase is not common when it's used in the denial form, even though this would be a possible way to use the saying.
Someone can use the phrase 'a man's home is his castle' in the context of a statement, or a response to something that another person has said.
The phrase does not always refer to homes, but might also just be another means to tell someone 'their business is their own'.
The phrase originates from an adapted version rarely used, which says 'an Englishman's home is his castle'.
Example Usage
“I just don't want that fruit on my pizza. If you're going to order food in my apartment, I'm going to tell you what I like. A man's home is his castle.”
“Who cares that my couch is made up out of purple polka dots? A man's home is his castle. I paid for it, and that's what I like to sit on.”
“A man's home is his castle, he realized, as he undid his pants and realized that he would not do the same thing when he was work.”
“A man's home is his castle, and he wasn't about to judge the guy for opening the door stark naked even though he was the director of the company.”
Origin
According to online language resources that include Oxford, the phrase 'a man's home is his castle' is likely to have come from the 1800s and first originated in English.
When the phrase was used, it referred to the conquests of the time, though the saying would later adapt to become a general figurative phrase that gives no thought for its origins.
Modern use of the phrase is more common in the UK than in the US, though it has gained some international reach due to the internet.
Use of the phrase has become a common pop culture reference, and the saying has made appearances everywhere – including
Rarely, the phrase is not listed on the website Urban Dictionary as of 2022.
Phrases Similar to A Man's Home Is His Castle
- It's my life
Phrases Opposite to A Man's Home Is His Castle
- Mi casa es su casa
What is the Correct Saying?
- A man's home is his castle
- An Englishman's home is his castle
Ways People May Say A Man's Home Is His Castle Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'a man's home is his castle' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the saying.
The phrase can be misspelled as 'a mans home', which does not render a correct saying.
The phrase can also be misunderstood, as it is not common outside the UK and Australia.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase A Man's Home Is His Castle
There are several correct ways in which someone can use the saying 'a man's home is his castle' in the correct way.
When someone says that 'a man's home is his castle', it implies that something is their business, or that they can do as they like in their own space.
The phrase can be adapted to say that 'a woman's home is their castle'.