caveman

Etymology

From cave + man, based on the supposition that early humans dwelt in caves.

noun

1. An early human or closely related species, popularly held to reside in caves.
   The political cartoon showed the politician as a caveman, clubbing the budget depicted as a mammoth.
   CAVEMAN DIET The creators of this nutrition plan believe that cavemen and cavewomen were lean and healthy because of the all-natural foods they ate. 2006, Harley Pasternak, The 5 Factor Diet, page 15
   And who could forget those ads that featured sophisticated cavemen who were insulted—in a parody on political correctness—by “insensitive” offenders who implied that some action was “so easy, a caveman could do it.” 2010, Terence A. Shimp, Advertising, Promotion, and Other Aspects of Integrated Marketing Communications, 8th edition, Cengage Learning, page 154
   For, in essence, the caveman concept implies the abhorrent—undignified human bestiality and a disquieting association with apelike ancestors. Cavemen have represented Darwin′s repugnant evolutionary ideals and even suggest civilisation′s tenuousness. 2010, Allen A. Debus, Prehistoric Monsters: The Real and Imagined Creatures of the Past That We Love to Fear, page 87
2. (informal, figurative, derogatory) A person with backward, primitive behavior, opinions, or interests.
   1. (informal, figurative, derogatory) A brutish person, one who behaves in a rough, uncivilized way.
      The football squad was made up of cavemen who were responsible for trashing many a locker room.
      Bless you, he would think nothing of throwing you downstairs if you have a disagreement. He is a primitive cave-man in a lounge suit. I can see him with a club in one hand and a jagged bit of flint in the other. 1929, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, When the World Screamed
   2. (informal, figurative, derogatory) Someone, especially a man, who has regressive, old-fashioned attitudes, particularly with regard to women; someone opposed to change or modernity.
      Old Sven is a bit of a caveman; he figures giving women the right to vote was a bad idea.
      Pat is a real caveman when it comes to tech, and refuses to get a smartphone.