In Cockney rhyming slang why is cold weather called "brass monkeys"?

dutch_frank_65

Many expanations given on: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bra1.htm I like the Napoleon Cannonball theory, just because it is funny. Sep 15 05, 2:59 AM

sue943

It isn't cockney rhyming slang and is in use in other places other than London. Rhyming slang would be like saying 'apples and pears' for stairs or 'china' for mate (china plate). Sep 15 05, 4:56 AM

picqero

'Cold' when referring to weather or room temperature would be described in Cockney rhyming slang as 'taters' (pronounced 'taiters' or 'tighters'), usually as 'taiters init', meaning 'cold isn't it'. Taters is short for 'taters (ie potatoes) in the mould', which of course rhymes with cold! Sep 15 05, 7:34 AM

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