The Beastie Boys scored a hit with the song 'Brass Monkey' from their 1986 debut 'Licensed to Ill.' What is a brass monkey?

skysmom65

The phrase "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" is sometimes used by English speakers. What a brass monkey is in this phrase is the subject of much discussion. (The phrase is found in most English-speaking countries, and is sometimes abbreviated to "brass monkey weather".) Meaning According to Snopes, it is simply unknown. According to Michael Quinion, it is very likely a figurine or statue of a monkey made of brass, "something solid and inert that can only be affected by extremes". The "brass monkey" is the nickname of the house flag of the Cunard Line, a lion or rampant on a field gules holding a globe, but any connection with the phrase is uncertain. This does look very slightly like a monkey holding a ball, but as this flag was only adopted in 1878 the nickname could derive from the phrase rather than vice versa. In the propagandist early Radio Show "I was a Communist for the FBI" "A Brass Monkey" was a person with a monkey on their back. In the episode on Wednesday Apr 08, 1953 episode #51 titled "The Brass Monkey" it referred to a convict with a "Brass Monkey" meaning a conviction. Euphemism Some suggest that brass monkey is itself a euphemism for stiff testicles. This is supported by the common shortening of the phrase to "It's brass monkeys." Cannonballs? One popular theory is that a brass monkey is a brass tray used in naval ships during the Napoleonic Wars, used for the storage of cannonballs, piled up in a pyramid on the tray, which would contract in cold weather, causing the balls to fall off. This theory is discredited by Snopes, Michael Quinion, and others for five main reasons: More: http://www.answers.com/brass%20monkey Dec 22 06, 7:32 AM

star_gazer

It's an alcholic drink. brass monkey A drink made from mixing a 40oz bottle of malt liquor with orange juice. Commonly on tha street, this is done by drinking your 40 to the top of its label, then filling it to the top with OJ. This drink was popularized in the Beastie Boys song, "Brass Monkey": "I'll down a 40 dog in a single gulp And if you got beef you'll get beat to a pulp" Excerpt from "Brass Monkey" (n) 1. an alcoholic beverage consisting of vodka, rum (usually dark), and orange juice. Essentially a screwdriver with rum. Named for the brass-like color the dark rum and OJ create when mixed. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=brass+monkey Dec 22 06, 9:59 AM

zbeckabee

"An entirely different cocktail, often attributed to the Beastie Boys' song of the same name, consists of three parts malt liquor and one part Sunny Delight. Typically Olde English 800 or St. Ides is used, and always in the forty-ounce bottle. The first quarter to third of the bottle is consumed, and then topped off with Sunny D, capped, mixed, and drunk." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_Monkey_%28cocktail%29 Dec 22 06, 1:21 PM

gburton63

The answer your looking for is OJ, rum, and vodka Dec 22 06, 1:54 PM

Baloo55th

In the 'freeze' saying, there is nothing complicated. It's just a brass monkey - a monkey made of brass. The cannonball theory is just a load of....... cannonballs? Dec 22 06, 2:11 PM

What-A-Mess

You decide whether it is alcoholic or not... (chorus) Brass Monkey - that funky Monkey Brass Monkey - junkie That funky Monkey Got this dance that's more than real Drink Brass Monkey - here's how you feel Put your left leg down - your right leg up Tilt your head back - let's finish the cup M.C.A. with the bottle - D. rocks the can Adrock gets nice with Charlie Chan We're offered Moet - we don't mind Chivas Wherever we go with bring the Monkey with us Adrock drinks three - Mike D. is D. Double R. foots the bill most definitely I drink Brass Monkey and I rock well I got a Castle in Brooklyn - that's where I dwell (repeat chorus) Cause I drink it anytime - and anyplace When it's time to get ill - I pour it on my face Monkey tastes Def when you pour it on ice Come on y'all it's time to get nice Coolin' by the lockers getting kind of funky Me and the crew - we're drinking Brass Monkey This girl walked by - she gave me the eye I reached in the locker - grabbed the Spanish Fly I put it with the Monkey - mixed it in the cup Went over to the girl, "Yo baby, what's up?" I offered her a sip - the girl she gave me lip It did begin the stuff wore in and now she's on my tip (repeat chorus) Step up to the bar - put the girl down She takes a big gulp and slaps it around Take a sip - you can do it - you get right to it We had a case in the place and we went right through it You got a dry Martini - thinking you're cool I'll take your place at the bar - I smack you off your stool I'll down a '40 dog" in a single gulp And if you got beef you'll get beat to a pulp Monkey and parties and reelin' and rockin' Def, def - girls, girls - all y'all jockin' The song and dance keeping you in a trance If you don't buy my record I got my advance I drink it - I think it - I see it - I be it I love Brass Monkey but I won't give D. it We got the bottle - you got the cup Come on everybody let's get ffffff http://www.lyricsdepot.com/beastie-boys/brass-monkey.html http://www.lyricsdepot.com/beastie-boys/brass-monkey.html Dec 22 06, 5:36 PM