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
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
i love it i love this mug my boyfriend got this for me as a gift i love it very much i highly recommend this for you or a loved one it is very good i am planning to get my mans one on his birthday i hope he will love it thanks guys for listening
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This was a phrase my husband and I made up even we first started dating. We laughed so hard while submitting it. The mug is perfect!
Urban Dictionary. Mixes truth with lies. Keeps a record. Thanks for the truthful parts, bro. 🙏💪✝️
I wish I had this mug I SOOOO wish I had this mug! I never find anything that has my name on it unless I have it custom made. I'm actually quite surprised that 'Lani' is on the Urban Dictionary... And the definition is pretty accurate ;)
really awesome mug I gave this mug as a secret Santa gift and and my cousin still uses it to this day. It is truly a awesome mug and it deserves 5 stars.
i shit in it
I cumed in my pants when it arrived in the mail. no more porn, just mug
i love it. my friend loved it. yay. now i'm happy and not depressed anymore.
You can't get a mug from any other dictionary site
Was quality and delivered quick our friend loved it!
Quality and style are outstanding relative to price point.
Quick delivery, easy ordering, unique and special gift!
My coach loves it. I gave this to my coach and she was over the moon. Ever been hugged by an Olympic gold medalist?
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