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
I have a “gift” for plathering. The definition is right on. Can’t wait to have a cup of coffee across the table from my guy who will TOTALLY get it.
dear Jim. B whose 1 star test review is showing up on top: thank you for your service sir
These mugs are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Hello, I am here to present if this is a real rating system or not. If you are reading this it's a true rating system. But if this doesn't make it, urban dictionary, I know what you are doing.
Got it quick and husband loves it
I love seeing my name of coffee mug ☕️ also they describer very well biiftu means sunshine 🌞 ♥️🙌🏽
i love this mug it made me so happy
Why soooo accurateee😩
I love seeing new products, this one is awesome!
It's a very good idea and I'm so glad ☺
Veryfast ship in todays world...nice quality mug....will be buying more
Gave it to my uncle and he rewarded me with a wet kiss. Best gift ever!
mug gud, got it for my gf but mug just made her pregananant. Help pliz mug says its going after my thicc mum next. pliz send help
I love the personalized mug I got from you! I never thought there were mugs available like the one I got and it's going to make the BEST holiday gift! Thank-you!!
My friend and I added a word ! Gotta get merch of it now. Thanks for the coffee mug!
Easy to order quality mug.
It’s cute and wasn’t broken when it shipped. Just smaller than expected
I got it in the mail. then The next day it was sleeping with My non Existant Gf
I thought this mug was a bear.
it is pretty good but not all of it describes me god bless all Nevaeh's
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