Random shower thought: we've got king beds, and then California king beds. Is it because they're for tall people in California? Or did some mattress company just slap 'California' on it to sound fancy? My 6'4" husband is convinced it's because you need to be a California resident to afford the sheets.
Bed Sizes
How did California king beds get their name?
It's not about California residency, lol. The name comes from the fact that a standard king is 76" wide x 80" long, while a California king is 72" wide x 84" long. The extra length was marketed toward taller folks, and California had a reputation for catering to that lifestyle. I think the term gained traction in the mid-20th century.
So basically it's just a longer, narrower king. I always thought it was was because California kings were the size of a small apartment.
I heard it was because waterbeds were huge in California and they needed a longer frame? Not sure if that's true though.
Waterbeds! That actually makes some sense. My uncle had a waterbed in the 80s and it was enormous. Maybe the CA king was the waterbed king?
Waterbed theory is plausible but I think the naming is simpler: mattress companies wanted to denote a size that was popular in California, where there's a lot of tall people and luxury homes. It's marketing.
This whole thread is making me realize i don't know anything about bed sizes. I just ask for 'the big one' and hope for the best.
As a tall person, I can confirm that a California king is a lifesaver. But the name is dumb. Should be called 'tall king' or something. And yes, the sheets cost more. Everything costs more when you're tall.
Wait, so if I'm short, should I avoid California king? Will I drown in it?
Only if you can't swim. But seri ously, I think the name is just a regional thing that stuck.
Thanks for the info, all. I'm going to tell my husBand it's not a residency requirement, but he'll probably still complain about the sheets.