Brass Monkey's Balls.................

[JJL]

The origin of the phrase...."Cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey".

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations.

However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled.

Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.'

All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.

[stevebeilgard]

yep, i did. and i've often said here that it's so cold i had to bring in my brass monkey. that's interesting, jim.

hey, it's been too long since the forum members were treated to a view of gods country. got any pictures handy? how are those big golf course bucks doing???

[Shaun_300]

Something tells me I heard this before somewhere. Still a funny phrase to use though.

[Tominator]

Nope, actually knew that with my nautical background. I've also heard it was in reference to the brass gimbals next to a compass. I can attest, those things get cold quick!

[WIwhitetailhunter]

I can honestly say I've learned something today.

And from here on out, that phrase won't be nearly as funny to me anymore!

[mikebohio]

i can skip watching the discovery channel today. and all this time ive been worried about those poor brass monkeys. thanks for the info.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

For those of us nautically disinclined we will continue to use the phrase as we see fit the rest of you can swab the poop deck.

[ruttinbuc]

Yea, I'll have to store that tidbit of information in case I ever audition for and get to play on Jeopardy. I can see it now:

Category; Old Time Navy for $1000, Alex!

Question: On old sailing warships an indented plate called a brass monkey was used to keep this from happening

BAANNNT!!!

RB

What is; um uh...freezing your ---- off,,err, your cannon balls off,, err, keeping the ships balls from freezing? Cannon balls....

[buckee]

Actually, although that is the origin of where the phrase first came from, it is used today simply as a slang term, because very few people actually know the true background of the phrase.

If most folks don't really know that background, and yet still use the phrase, then it is taken at face value, and has a whole new meaning to most.