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
This was sent as a gift to my grandson, who lives in another state, so I never saw it. However I asked him as follows: "Just checking ... their request for a review shows an aquamarine mug ... it was supposed to be purple (eggplant, they called it). Was it purple?" Then he said: "It was purple! And thank you I love it haha Sent from my iPhone"
Shipment arrived quickly and in great condition. I know my custom mug will be a crowd pleaser when my girlfriend opens it up for Xmas.
Soaking is my favorite activity, glad I got a mug for it 😙
It DIDNT break :D
so happy you were able to put my unique word "Obergrossescheinehund" onto the new yellow mug. The yellow mug and black print make it easy for the words to be seen.
This is made by my friend i love it
Imagine not buying one of these. 🤢🗑🤡= non-buyer. Couldn't be me. 😎
It was the best thing I could have asked for
I mollywopped someone with it and it didn’t break. Nice
Product was as advertised and arrived pretty quickly too! The person loved their gift!
The "Pink Flamingo" colour with white text on a pink background is the best selection for this fine phrase mug. May I suggest you also correct the misspelling of "delightfully" in the default option for a timeless gift.
As always, a great gift.
It looks great. I couldn't have been happier
It’s a mug I would never find in a souvenir shop. I’m a legend in my own home.
I am very please with the mug. Thank you!
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT BUY IT RN
Was very happy with the customer service team when I had a question. They responded to my email quickly. The mug looks really cool, makes me laugh every time I use it and high quality. I’m in love with it. Thanks!
Haylee My name is haylee sullivan and the mug is describes everything about me and i would rate it at a 5 100% it is awesome
I’m right handed and would’ve liked it better if the handle was on right side with name facing forward instead of having verbiage facing front
girlfriend loved it :) - Ian's Girlfriend
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