monkey

[paulz]

Anyone heard of the phrase 'the monkey on your back?' [as in carrying a burden/problem]

[Quizmonster]

Back in the 1860s, having a monkey on your back just meant you were angry about something. In the 1940s, however, it came to mean one was suffering from drug-withdrawal symptoms. Having a Chinaman on your back meant the same thing. Perhaps it is now applied to just any problem one has to deal with.

[honkytonkman]

I heard a few songs from the 1950s and '60s referring to " you're the monkey on my back" or similar, and the meaning is clear, 'you're the thing that's bugging me!'

[paulz]

Quizzy & Honky - Thanks!! Any ideas how the phrase started. By sheer coincidence I have a photo of me with my Big Bruvva, about 40 something years old, taken in Brighton he's got the parrot and guess what I've got the monkey on my back!!

[Quizmonster]

Paul, The phrase would probably have been in use in speech before it ever appeared in print, but the earliest-recorded uses in writing are as follows...

A British dictionary of slang published in 1860 had this to say: "A man is said to have his monkey up or the monkey on his back when he is riled or out of temper." (The 'monkey up' version comes from earlier in the 19th century.)

An American dictionary of slang published in 1942 said: "Have a Chinaman or monkey on one's back...to manifest withdrawal distress."

The idea of having something unshakeable clinging to one's back is clearly a good image for describing a problem.

[druiaghtagh]

all previous corrrespondents are indeed correct, Robbir Williams sings about 'Me and my monkey' referring to his past addiction to drugs

[Ewood27]

As a strict answer to the question you asked, yes, I've heard of it!