The phrase “It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” might sound like it came straight from a bawdy comedy, but its roots are surprisingly linked to maritime history—or at least that’s the popular legend!
The story goes like this: back in the days of sailing ships, cannonballs were stored on brass plates called “monkeys” next to the cannons on the deck. These plates, sometimes called “brass monkeys,” were designed to hold a pyramid stack of iron cannonballs. However, when temperatures dropped dramatically, the brass would contract more than the iron cannonballs, causing the balls to slide off the monkey—a chilling hazard at sea!
But there’s a catch. While this colourful explanation is delightful, most historians and linguists argue that there’s no historical evidence of brass monkeys being used to store cannonballs on ships. In fact, such storage would have been impractical due to the rough conditions of sea travel and the properties of brass itself. So, while the story is fun, it might actually be a nautical myth passed along over the years.
The phrase itself is believed to have evolved in 19th-century England as a humorous exaggeration of how cold it was outside. The mention of a “brass monkey” may simply have been an imaginative way to describe extreme temperatures and the idea of cold temperatures affecting something as solid as brass adds to the comedic imagery.
Today, this expression lives on as one of those quirky English sayings that paint a vivid picture. Next time there’s a biting winter wind, feel free to say it – but don’t expect any cannonballs to roll off! Just appreciate the wild and often mysterious origins of these classic expressions that make our language so entertaining.
Discover more from Michael Forman – Author of Dark Fiction & Drama
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.