The Wingman -- A Brief History

Wingman -- wing·man (wĭng'mən): Your trusted sidekick at the bar

Many people think the history of the wingman dates back to the 1986 film Top Gun; to the '96 flick Swingers, in which the role was glorified; or even to the Coors Light commercial featuring the song "Ode to the Wingman." In reality, the wingman's history can be traced back to prehistoric times. However, the role has evolved significantly for the better.

In the caveman's day, the wingman was not only employed for courtship rituals but was also a trusted hunting partner and confidant. It wasn't uncommon for an alpha male to have several wingmen, each serving a different role, from hunting to dating and beyond. The relationship between pilot and wingman was more precarious in those days, however, as the pilot would frequently bludgeon the wingman as a show of his manhood to impress a cavewoman. (This was also a popular tactic for a would-be pilot.) It sure is a good thing we live in a more civilized time.

What, then, is the role of the wingman today? His most common use is as a resource for the pilot at a bar or club. The wingman may act as a scout (selecting a target), beverage liaison (retrieving the next round so the pilot and target are not interrupted), bragger (talking up the pilot's exploits), social butterfly (mingling with and charming the target's friends) or memory aid (remembering important details, such as the target's name, her interests and where the pilot stashed her number). He may also police the pilot to ensure that the alpha male doesn’t pursue a relationship he will end up regretting in the morning.

Wingmen come in many forms:

• The copilot -- who is his pilot's equal, but becomes copilot if his friend is the first to make contact with a target.
• The first mate -- who is an equal but has been designated "wingman" that evening for myriad possible reasons. I often fill this roll. Since I'm in a long term relationship, I can offer objective advice, and because I'm not looking for a date, I am free to approach a tough target or make a fool of myself without risking alienation from the ladies.
• The tail gunner -- who is typically inferior in appearance and/or game. This is a symbiotic role: He is there to support the pilot but is also in a prime position to benefit, should the target be flanked by an attractive friend, whom he might otherwise be unable to effectively pursue. This is sometimes referred to as the "halo effect," as the pilot's coolness is projected onto the wingman. (Remember how much cooler that dork Goose seemed, just by hanging out with Maverick?)

For an active member of the dating community, it is important to have more than one wingman, in case one is not available -- or, ideally, you have wingmen that possess different skills that work well in different environments. It is also important to have a close relationship with your wingman, and he with you, so I suggest somewhere between 2 and 4 trusted comrades. It is vital that a wingman knows pertinent information, such as your likes (blonde or redhead), danger points (are you a lush when it comes to tequila?) and signals (when you tap your nose, it's time to move on, and he will get up immediately or dive into a magic trick that occupies the group for another vital 30 minutes).

Develop a core group of wingmen you know and trust -- they are your brothers in arms. And always reciprocate the courtesy. You might even learn a thing or two.