brass monkey
While the exact origin of the term 'brass monkey' is unkown, it's 200-plus year usage history indicates its original meaning is related to the Kelvin Spheres that sit on either side of a ship's binnacle. The balls, which are iron, help offset magnetic shifts so the compass inside the binnacle remains pointed toward magnetic north. The two balls are traditionally mounted on brass arms, which were called 'monkeys' by sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries. The phrase 'cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey' didn't rear its head into common usage until the 20th century. Original uses referred to 'freezing the tail of a brass monkey,' or 'melting the nose off a brass monkey,' and can be found in 19th century sailing texts like Herman Melville's "Omoo" ('...it was 'ot enough to melt the nose h'off a brass monkey....'). Again, while the exact meaning is unkown, the term has beeen definitively rejected by the Department of the Navy, the Oxford English Dictionary and other noted etymologists as describing a pyramid of cannonballs on a brass tray. Not only were they never used on board ship during the age of sail as they would have rolled everywhere with the rocking of the ship, but the balls and tray would expand and contract at nearly the same rate due to cold and heat, and therefore the stack would never have fallen apart due temperature change.
The Urban Dictionary Mug
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amazing I will buy this. it will be my child. I WILL BE KING OF THE 0w0
I loved this mug! when i drink out of it it always has a horrible stench and honestly i dont mind because i love smelling it. my boyfriend thinks i should throw it away because he says "its has lead poisoning" but i cant get rid of it. when my mom died i bought her a mug that said "deceased" because i thought it would brighten the moment when i open presents at her funeral (it worked). but if your looking for something to buy, you should really get one of these mugs. they are cute, nerdy, and remind me of my dead mother!
Yay. I got a mug... And it has the most accurate definition of my name ever lmfao. The quality is great and it's totally worth the price. For me, at least :)
The accuracy is real! My husband and I have 3 daughters. Our last name is Staats, in UD was spot on! Unbelievable! I got it to my husband just in time for Father's Day! Lol!
love it sm, gives a clear understanding of the word every sip thankyou
I nutted in the mug. Loved it!!!!!!!!
I fucked this mug so hard, It became pregnant
Exactly as I ordered it. Shipping was perfect, got updates, accurate date of delivery, and no damage. This is a gift for my little brother.
i was put on a list for buying this mug. 10/10 would recommend
Great customer service and was a fun surprise for an inside joke to a coworker. 😊
Nice cup! Seems to be a quality piece.
This mug reminds me of when I was happy. When I was a wee little winker enjoying the wonders of this life!
The, "Wenomechainsama" Mug has amazing quality and an amazing definition! Can't belive my child's generation is so funny! Love - Sharen, 55, On facebook !<3
this mug reminds me of my cat, it does nothing and cant pour me a nice cup of joe. It is horrible, it doesn't tell nor does it allow me sip on it. It stops me from drinking from it, its like the mug is trying to torture me.
love this mug! Goes perfect with the Morbius meal.
Had no idea my name had a definition!!
Bought for an inside joke. Perfect.
i love the schizophrenia mug its amazing
This cute mug reminded me of a quote from an obscure biography I found quite by accident in a tiny hole-in-the-wall 2nd hand shop in Portland, ME in 1987: 'The Life and Times of Lazarus of Bethany'. Quote: " We are all walking wounded held together by the scars of our forbearance and the charity of our sisters and brothers." Truer words have never been said.
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