Elena Terletskaya/Shutterstock/Buttgenerator interstitials What explains the rise of the rump? Is it an of-the-moment fixation brought on by celebrities who've got buns? Or is it more deep-seated, our desire for deep seats? Has humankind—or mankind, specifically—always preferred girls with cheeks? And if so, why? Some men have trouble putting words to this predilection, as I learned when I conducted an unscientific survey of three straight males I know.