brass monkeys

[sarwal]

Where does the expressions 'brass monkeys' come from for really cold weather?

[NoGood Boyo]

I believe it comes from ancient navy warships. The phrase was "it's cold enough to freeze the b@lls on a brass monkey". Monkeys were the cases that they kept the cannon b@lls in on board ship. So = very cold.

[Dagman]

I read that the brass-monkeys were warmed before a battle in freezing conditions as they stuck together, bit dodgy if u didn't!  

[Moog]

Snopes reckons not: http://www.snopes2.com/language/stories/brass.htm

[Moog]

It seems like the cannon ball origin is untrue, but can't find an alternative http://www.nmm.ac.uk/site/request/setTemplate:singlecontent/contentTypeA/conFaq/contentId/87/navId/005002006001002

[cheyenne]

im sure its something to do with pornbrokers,trying to find a link?

[sarwal]

wow.. thanks for your answers.. This site is great!

[Moog]

I always thought it was pornbrokers too, but haven't found anything yet

[Sproutstick]

Probably because it's spelt 'PAWNbrokers' not 'PORNbrokers' Moog - LOL!!  :-)
Here's a link:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/14/messages/45.html

 
Just read something else and it sparked a memory; My parents used to deal in antiques when I was a child and I distinctly remember that they used to get hold of lots of Victorian brass monkeys ('See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil' monkeys all in a row).  Could this phrase possibly be related to these items which had a large popularity throughout the Victorian period?  The phrase, however, may pre-date the Victorians.

Sorry I am waffling now�..

[cheyenne]

well spotted sproutstick"pawnbrokers"its my west country accent im afraid.

[Bangkok]

Re the cannon balls, it was 'freeze the balls off a brass monkey" - the frame was brass, and would contract more than the iron balls when it was cold, so they would fall onto the deck