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
Came out just as described! Had the full definition. Very pleased!
Perfect gift As a joke I gave one to my mate but I costumised it. It said tom drunk 24/7 ugly and got lovely hair. The lovely hair part was a joke coz he don’t have any. It was his favourite gift he got for his birthday and he drinks his beer out of it 😂
Great mug…. Got one for Cole M.’s girlfriend.
I ordered a customized mug for my gf and everything came out well. There were no autocorrect mistakes and the mug was unscratched. Would shop here again
Also got one for Cole M.'s girlfriend, even faster sex.
Istgd imma force my mum to buy this idek hw i find out but this shit looks fucking fire
Perfect coffee cup for a hockey fan. Great conversation starter.
Perfect gift! My husband loved it. So funny and clever!
Great mug… got one for my girlfriend… instant sex
As always, these are well made mugs that stand up to most anything. And they make perfect gifts (in this case for dirty-minded members of a wedding party). I’m extremely pleased.
Is a great mug that I purchased as a gag gift for a coworker. You know the one who also as interesting words/phrases that only urban dictionary can explain. Great as a coffee mug and better as conversation piece!
👍
The mug exceeded my expectations. Really excellent quality and build
Jim, you’re a fucking idiot interfering with accurate ratings and legitimate feedback. Get a hobby.
Great gift!
A little spendy, but worth it.
My wife kept talking about "ways out" being a Denver version of "psych" and she was right, so I got her this once I found it on UD. She loved it!
It's a great mug, will reccomend to family members my grandma gave me this mug for christmas and it was by far the best gift i got.
It arrived three weeks after ordering but given the holiday rush and inability of shipping to keep on schedule arrived late but was perfect little gift from me to my wife for her morning coffee with her "nickname" on the mug.
I liked the photo on your website and so I ordered the mug. You sent it right away, and it looks great!
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