Brass monkey to hold cannonballs
WebJun 30, 2024 · This piece of alleged history explains that in the olden days of sailing ships, cannon balls were stacked on the decks on brass plates called “monkeys.”. The plates … WebJan 10, 2002 · As it got cold on the gun decks, the indentations in the brass monkey would get smaller than the iron cannonballs they were holding. If the temperature got cold enough, the bottom layer would pop out of the indentations, spilling the entire pyramid over the deck. Thus, it was, quite literally, "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey ...
Brass monkey to hold cannonballs
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WebOct 25, 2024 · Why do they call them monkey balls? It is often stated that the phrase originated from the use of a brass tray, called a “monkey”, to hold cannonballs on warships in the 16th to 18th centuries. Supposedly, in very cold temperatures the “monkey” would contract, causing the balls to fall off. View Complete Answer Are crab apples safe … WebIt is often stated that the phrase originated from the use of a brass tray, called a "monkey", to hold cannonballs on warships in the 16th to 18th centuries. Supposedly, in very cold temperatures the "monkey" would contract, causing the balls to fall off. However, nearly all historians and etymologists consider this story to be an urban legend.
WebAnswer (1 of 4): Yes, I think it originated in the imagination of the questioner, and one can only speculate about its meaning. There seems to be no indication that anyone else has ever used it. Ms Schneider has given the obvious conflation with the angels dancing on the head of a pin, but they ... WebJul 6, 2024 · The oft-repeated, but false, nautical origin would have the monkey be a brass rack used to store cannonballs on board ship. According to the tale, in cold weather the rack would shrink, spilling the balls onto the deck. As we have seen, the lexical evidence doesn’t support this.
WebJan 10, 2001 · Brass was used because the cannonballs wouldn't rust to the "brass monkey", but would rust to an iron one. When temperature falls, brass contracts in size … Webcannonballs. Note the holes in some of the balls showing. These balls were filled with explosive powder attached to a fuse during actual combat. The life of a cannoneer must have been pretty short due to premature explosions in the barrel. Angles associated with Stacks: There are three basic angles associated with the stable stack of cannonballs.
WebDec 8, 2005 · Brass was used because the cannonballs wouldn't rust to the"brass monkey", but would rust to an iron one. When temperature falls, brass contracts in size …
WebMar 19, 2011 · I have been told that a brass monkey is (was) a contraption used on a sailing ship to hold the cannon balls. Brass, so as not to create sparks which might set … philanthropic partnershipsWebAn actual brass monkey was thought to be a naval contraption - here's the story we heard: Back in the day of naval wars being fought with the old fashioned cannons, they would … philanthropic projects/initiativesWebIt may refer to a brass rack called a monkey which was used to store cannonballs. When it was very cold, the brass contracted (= got smaller) and the balls fell off. See also: brass, monkey Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2024 See also: it's brass monkeys outside feel the cold Baby it's cold outside baby, it's cold outside philanthropic pumpkin kitWebHoop-and-stave construction permitted the fabrication of guns far larger than had been made previously. By the last quarter of the 14th century, wrought-iron siege bombards were firing stone cannonballs of 450 pounds (200 kilograms) and more. These weapons were feasible only with projectiles of stone. Cast iron has more than two and a half ... philanthropic powerWebMar 4, 2024 · 1) First off there is no record of the word 'monkey' being used to describe anything like a brass tray or frame on old warships! 2) Secondly, cannonballs were rarely left out in the cold for very long as they would get rusty when exposed to the elements and have to be greased down. philanthropic partnerships definitionWebMar 4, 2024 · 1) First off there is no record of the word 'monkey' being used to describe anything like a brass tray or frame on old warships! 2) Secondly, cannonballs were … philanthropic placehttp://dictionary.sensagent.com/brass%20monkey%20colloquial%20expression/en-en/ philanthropic projects