Fact or fiction

[wotawoppa]

This recent cold snap reminded me of a story i heard a while ago relating to the phrase "Cold enough to freeze the ball of a brass monkey"

 

Apparently it originates from the time of Sir francis Drake and is describing the following event..

 

Steel cannonballs were arranged in a pyramid shape on a brass plate called a monkey. When the weather turned cold the brass contracted therefore dislodging the balls.

 

Seems ok to me apart from the fact that the brass would also expand in very hot weather and there is not an equivalent phrase for this phenomenon.

 

please feel free to discuss...

[chesters1]

hot enough to lower the scrote of a brass monkey

[MrWiggly]

Your version of the naval story is reasonably correct ..

 

The reason why the cannonballs would become dislodged in freezing weather is that at the side of the "Brass Monkey" (actually a tray) was kept a leather bucket full of water to swab out the cannon barrel. This would get spilt into the "Monkey", and when it froze would dislodge the cannon balls.

 

The naval connection is also responsible for "Grease Monkey" and "Powder Monkey" .. both members of cannon crews.

[wotawoppa]

Were you there...? only joking. That's cleared it up then and also answered the q about warm weather.

 

So..to whom is the prase "avast behind" attributed to...my money is on Jade Goody..

[MrWiggly]

If you are into tracing origins ... try these.

 

Between the devil and the deep blue sea.

 

The Devil to pay.

 

By Hook or by Crook.

 

Everyone knows the 2 finger sign ... but where did it originate ?

 

Why should Gentlemen always walk on the right hand side of ladies ?

 

How did handshakes start ?

 

Have fun .....

[wotawoppa]

Here goes..

 

If you are into tracing origins ... try these.

 

Between the devil and the deep blue sea.

 

The Devil to pay...from marriage vows although they never read that bit out loud..

 

By Hook or by Crook.... talking the wife into letting you buy more tackle

 

Everyone knows the 2 finger sign ... but where did it originate ?...from the practice of cutting off two fingers from an archers hand...and the bugger can still write books!!

 

Why should Gentlemen always walk on the right hand side of ladies ? to stop then going into every bloody shop in the high street.

 

How did handshakes start ? no idea but am interested to know.

 

[ 19. February 2003, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: wotawoppa ]

[MrWiggly]

Excellent !

 

The 2 - finger was correct ... but the rest need working on ... :confused:

 

Think I'll leave these on the board for a while .. may get some more bites !

[wotawoppa]

I forgot the devil and the deep blue sea...i reckon that has something to do with walking the plank

[Chris Plumb]

Urban Legend

 

 

Chris

[Orca]

wotawoppa:

Here goes..

 

 

Why should Gentlemen always walk on the right hand side of ladies

 

Its not that they walk on the right hand side, they walk on the "outside" as in nearest to the road in order to protect them.

 

How did handshakes start ? no idea but am interested to know.

Comes from the days of the knights of the realm, most knights were right handed and therefore if they shook hands when they met they could not draw swords showing that they were there in peace