I didn't know where else to post this as it isn't really a joke and I didn't want to take up serious issue space... So here goes.
Does anyone know where the saying: 'COLD ENOUGH TO FREEZE THE BALLS OFF A BRASS MONKEY' originated?

I do, but I just want to hear what others think it comes from... and no googling :geek

Cannonball doohicky if I recall correctly. I want to say from the mid 1800's.

A "brass monkey" was the thing that held a rack of cannonballs. I have no idea why cold would affect it.


That's without googling... so it relies on my admittedly faulty memory.

maybe the monkey was the pet of the witch in the brass bra?

Cannonball doohicky if I recall correctly. I want to say from the mid 1800's.

A "brass monkey" was the thing that held a rack of cannonballs. I have no idea why cold would affect it.


That's without googling... so it relies on my admittedly faulty memory.

That was my understanding as well. The Brass Monkey was the holder for a pyramid of cannonballs. In this case, the brass would contract faster than the balls, and the balls would go tumbling off. But ...

I'm pretty sure this is an Urban Legend.

Cannonball rack is absolutely right. The brass enclosure had indents to hold them in a pyramid and when it got c-c-c-cold, the brass contracted and the iron cannonballs rolled off... :rolllaugh