beefcake
UK[ˈbiːfkeɪk]US[ˈbiːfkeɪk]
n
a man with a muscular and physically attractive body.
n
a photograph or image of such a man.
Morpheme Breakdown
beef
cake
beef
meat, strength
cake
something formed or shaped
Etymology
the word "beefcake" is a modern english compound, formed by analogy with the earlier term "cheesecake," which was slang for a sexually attractive woman. "beef" draws on its association with the substantial, muscular flesh of cattle to metaphorically signify male brawn and physical power. "cake" follows the colloquial pattern of denoting an appealing, often visually consumed, object or form. first appearing in the mid-20th century, the term's logic humorously applies the language of food and consumption to the objectification of the male physique, creating a direct lexical counterpart to its feminine equivalent.
Analysis
Structure: beef (meat, strength) + cake (something formed or shaped)
beef (from old english 'bēof', meaning ox, cow, meat; here used metaphorically for muscular bulk or strength). cake (from old norse 'kaka', meaning a baked flour confection; here used informally to denote a shaped mass or object).
Examples
the magazine cover featured a famous actor posing as a beefcake.
the calendar was filled with beefcake photos of firefighters.
his rigorous training regimen transformed him into a real beefcake.