# Brass Monkey **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 19, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282 "2011-03-19T20:53:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lstrclmn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/58f4c7/32.png) [@lstrclmn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lstrclmn)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282/1 "2011-03-19T20:53:38Z")
Regarding the phrase “Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.” I have been told that a brass monkey is (was) a contraption used on a sailing ship to hold the cannon balls. Brass, so as not to create sparks which might set off an explosion. In extremely cold weather the contraction of the brass woud allow the contraption to come apart and drop some of the cannon balls. So this really has nothing to do with a primate. * * * LINK TO COLUMN: [Is it possible to freeze your cojones off? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2983/is-it-possible-to-freeze-your-cojones-off) ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282/2 "2011-03-19T21:09:03Z")
> **[Brass Monkeys](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/brass-monkeyshines/)** > > Were brass monkeys used to store cannonballs on ships? Folk etymologies, while fun don’t really teach us anything useful. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282/3 "2011-03-19T22:11:56Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **lstrclmn** , we’re glad to have you here. When you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers to provide a link to the column you’re talking about. Helps keep us on the same page and saves searching time. No biggie, I’ve added a link to your post, and you’ll know for next time. And, as I say, welcome! ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282/4 "2011-03-21T18:59:02Z")
[Here’s the last thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=598431) where the cannonball-holder theory is discussed further … ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282/5 "2011-03-21T19:05:32Z")
Can’t this article get an update, to cover the false folk etymology about cannon balls?