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

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

Question #59386. Asked by base_hex.

sue943
Answer has 7 votes

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sue943
24 year member
104 replies avatar

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

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 2005, 3:56 AM

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Answer 1

dutch_frank_65
Answer has 4 votes

dutch_frank_65
19 year member
12 replies

Answer has 4 votes.

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 2005, 1:59 AM

Answer 2

'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!

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

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