"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey" & other Nautical terms

[aidancoughlan]

\"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

I once worked with a guy who knew oodles of sayings & terms in the english language that originated from nautical use in the days of old.

I recall that it being cold enough to "Freeze the balls off a brass monkey" is a reference to the way cannon balls were stacked in brass triangles ('monkeys') on deck - in very cold weather the brass would contract enough to force the cannon balls out - hence the saying.

I know there must be loads of these sayings about - anybody know any?

 

[Spyro]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

Loads Here very interesting and most of them in every day language

 

[machurley22]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

[ QUOTE ]
I recall that it being cold enough to "Freeze the balls off a brass monkey" is a reference to the way cannon balls were stacked in brass triangles ('monkeys') on deck - in very cold weather the brass would contract enough to force the cannon balls out - hence the saying.

[/ QUOTE ] There are "oodles" as you say but it seems as if this isn't one of them according to the OED anyway.

Dave

 

[tome]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

Erm, Oxford's a bit of a way from the sea don't you think?

 

[aidancoughlan]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

hhhmmm. As a kid, I recall a little brass ornament in our sitting room - three brass monkeys sitting side-by side (one covering his mouth, another his eyes and the other his ears). I used to think of the poor little critters well-being whenever the weather gets cold and I hear this saying.

Perhaps this is closer to the real origin if the OED is to be believed!!

 

[Freebee]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

but these monkeys represent ,speak no evil,see no evil, hear no evil.

 

[Thistle]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

As I type I am sitting looking at three monkeys as described; they are, however, joined by a fourth monkey. The extra member (!) has his hands between his legs, presumably endeavouring to ensure that such a fate does not befall him.

 

[dragoon]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

Hmmm, I read what the Oxford English had to say. Now, I'm confused. What on earth is a "ribald allusion" exactly?! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[macd]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

You've just been on a dictionary site. Why not ask it?

 

[snoozydude]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

Not sure if its true.

In the 12 and 13 century manure was shipped around the country, when this mixed with the dank conditions in the hold it produced dangerous gases.

When the poor watch went below to inspect with his lantern it produced a bit of a bang.

The custom then evolved to stamp the bales of manure with Ship High In Transit.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

From the academics point of view the phrase can be written as "the climatic conditions are appropriate for the cryo-castration of brazen simians"

 

[Piddy]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

Anyone any idea where "Port" and "Starboard" came from - my kids asked and I really have no idea!
I know that Port replaced Larboard, but that's about it.

thanks in advance

 

[snowleopard]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

The Plymouth site is a good one though some of the definitions are a bit suspect 'Off and On' for example is more likely to refer to tacking along a shoreline making boards offshore and onshore.

Here's another one

 

[White_Lady]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

I think the terms came from the early Greek boats, that were manouvered by a 'Steering Board' on the side of the ship.As this was always positioned on the right of the ship, when they came into port,so as not to damage the 'Steerboard', they would dock on the 'Port Side.

Hence Port and Steerboard ( Starboard )

 

[Gordonmc]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

Starboard is a corruption of "steer-board", in other words the side of the boat with the steering oar. Looking forward its on the right as most steersmen were right handed.
Consequently when a boat went against a pier or the shore, it had to present the side without the steering gear - the port side.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

You're quite right in that there used to be a fourth monkey.
The complete group was to be found on the frieze of old temples in Imperial India.
However, I was under the impression that the fourth one was pinching his nostrils shut, as in "smell no evil..!"
;<)
Fair Winds!

 

[bob_tyler]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" &amp; other Nautical terms

Sounds like a Gordon Brown speech!

 

[Thistle]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" &amp;amp; other Nautical terms

"Do no evil"???

 

[ex-Gladys]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

When you had a Steer board to starboard your left hand side had to be against the Port.....

 

[steve]

Re: \"Freezing the balls off a brass monkey\" & other Nautical terms

I don't think the Greeks spoke English.