Where does the term put a monkey on it come from?

Often, to have a monkey on one's back means to have an addiction that one can not control, or to be addicted to drugs or suffering withdrawal from a drug addiction. The origin of this idiom may be the stories of Sinbad, the earliest known works are from the seventeenth century.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on grammarist.com


Why do they call it monkey on your back?

Another expression that is frequently used is 'have a monkey on your back'; it means that you are carrying a burden or a problem that you find difficult to get rid of. *Prabhu is an alcoholic. He needs to get the monkey off his back. *Tina's property dispute with her mother is a monkey on her back.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehindu.com


What is monkey a slang term for?

Slang A person who is mocked, duped, or made to appear a fool: They made a monkey out of him.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thefreedictionary.com


Where did a monkey's uncle come from?

The phrase was used as early as 1917, in an El Paso, Texas newspaper advertisement for a play called The Brass Monkey. It appeared in newspapers several times in the early 1920s, including several other examples in advertisements. It was originally a sarcastic remark made by creationists.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


What does don't give a monkey's mean?

Definition of not give a monkey's

British, informal. : to not care at all about something. I don't give a monkey's about their problems!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


Yelling monkey Over One Million Times



Where did the expression not my circus not my monkeys come from?

This is a Polish expression, Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy, which translates literally to “Not my circus, not my monkey.” In the original Polish, there is one lone mischievous monkey, instead of a plural number of monkeys. Otherwise, the Polish saying has the same words and meaning as the English adaptation.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lizaachilles.com


How much is a pony in Cockney?

The most widely recognised Cockney rhyming slang terms for money include 'pony' which is £25, a 'ton' is £100 and a 'monkey', which equals £500.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on metro.co.uk


What is the meaning of Bob's your uncle?

Definition of and Bob's your uncle

British, informal. —used to say that something is easy to do or use Just complete the form, pay the fee, and Bob's your uncle!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does call me a monkey's uncle mean?

Phrase. I'll be a monkey's uncle. (idiomatic) Often preceded by well: expressing complete surprise or disbelief.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wiktionary.org


What do you mean by Uncle?

Definition of uncle

1a : the brother of one's father or mother. b : the husband of one's aunt or uncle. 2 : one who helps, advises, or encourages. 3 —used as a cry of surrender was forced to cry uncle.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does this emoji mean ??

The ? (monkey) emoji indicates playfulness or naughtiness.

Few emojis are as cute and mischievous as the ?; so, if you get a message with a ? emoji in it, you can safely assume that the sender is (playfully) up to no good.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


Why is 500 called a monkey?

The term was coined by British soldiers returning from India where the 500 rupee note of that era had a picture of a monkey on it. They used the term monkey for 500 rupees and on returning to England the saying was converted to sterling to mean £500.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theslangpodcast.com


What does the term Cheeky monkey mean?

'Cheeky monkey' is an expression we use when someone is being mischievous and playful.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on abc.net.au


What does monkey on the shoulder mean?

It means that the individual who gets the monkey must act the next moves without risks to the company, themselves, or to you as their supervisor. This is often about a sufficiently small and safe next move – just to be sure that you don't end up with the monkey.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hygger.io


What do you call a red monkey?

Definition of red monkey

1 : the patas or a related monkey. 2 : toque macaque.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


How do I get the monkey off my back?

4 steps to get those monkeys off your back
  1. Practice self-awareness. The first step of monkey management is awareness of your thoughts and feelings in situations where clients or coworkers try to give you their monkeys. ...
  2. Name the monkey. ...
  3. Turn down the empathy (just a little!) ...
  4. Manage your relationships.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dvm360.com


What does well I'll be mean?

An expression of surprise or astonishment, especially regarding some recent revelation. Bob: "You know, if you run your washing machine at night, you can save a lot of money on your electric bill." John: "I'll be, I never knew that before!" Well, I'll be!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on idioms.thefreedictionary.com


Is the monkey's uncle on Disney plus?

This movie is not currently available on Disney+.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on disneyplusinformer.com


Why is Fanny your aunt?

A phrase with the same meaning is 'Fanny's your aunt'. When used together it means complete or the whole lot. If Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt you've got a full set of relatives and you are complete.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theslangpodcast.com


Where did happy as Larry come from?

Larry Foley was an australian boxer who never lost a fight. His last fight was in the 1870's, he was paid the vast sum of £1000 and won the fight - "hence as happy as Larry".
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theguardian.com


Where does the phrase can't cut the mustard come from?

WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard".
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theguardian.com


What is a Jimmy in Cockney slang?

Source: Brewer's Dictionary of London Phrase & Fable Author(s): Russ Willey. 'Piddle' in cockney rhyming slang, meaning to urinate.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on oxfordreference.com


How much is a gorilla in money?

De Merode said the selling price for infant gorillas can run from about $15,000 to $40,000.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nbcnews.com


Why is a piano called a Joanna?

Keep in mind that some cockney rhyming slang can only be understood if you're familiar with the cockney accent. For instance, “Aunt Joanna” means “piano.” That's because in cockney English, “piano” is pronounced “pianna,” which rhymes with “Joanna.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca


What does the idiom while diving drink water mean?

Literal translation: While diving, drink water. Meaning: Accomplish two things at once.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on culturalawareness.com
Previous question
Why do Chinese clothes smell?
Next question
Do Korean face masks expire?