It would freeze the B#@ãs of a Brass monkey.
Sent from my ALE-L21
Sent from my ALE-L21
...the balls being cannon balls sat in a brass holder on deck called a monkey. ..when it froze the brass contracted and the balls rolled off...I think!
Cheers
Clint
...the balls being cannon balls sat in a brass holder on deck called a monkey. ..when it froze the brass contracted and the balls rolled off...I think!
Cheers
Clint
That is one theory.Check this out for size.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cold-enough-to-freeze-the-balls-off-a-brass-monkey.html
...the balls being cannon balls sat in a brass holder on deck called a monkey. ..when it froze the brass contracted and the balls rolled off...I think!
Cheers
Clint
I just can't get over the arrogance of this particular website!
At the bottom of the page it has the link ...
"See other phrases that were coined in the USA."
In the case under discussion the phrase was certainly misquoted in the USA but it is equally certain that it was never "coined in the USA" if only because iron cannon balls were already in regular use in Europe by 1620 when the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth.
I just can't get over the arrogance of this particular website!
At the bottom of the page it has the link ...
"See other phrases that were coined in the USA."
In the case under discussion the phrase was certainly misquoted in the USA but it is equally certain that it was never "coined in the USA" if only because iron cannon balls were already in regular use in Europe by 1620 when the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth.
.......... The line at the bottom, though poorly written, could be intended to mean see other phrases using this link and this link is to phrases which were coined in the USA.
........
Have your guts for garters
Meaning you are in deep trouble
Wonder if they ever did use such for garters. Used cat guts for stringing tennis rackets, you never know :!:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/guts-for-garters.html
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