# Grease **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608 "2001-08-02T06:05:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linear\_Crack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Linear\_Crack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linear_Crack)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/1 "2001-08-02T06:05:10Z")
Other than the fact that _most people_ enjoy the word **“monkey”** , why is it used in the terms **Grease Monkey** and **Monkey Wrench**? I understand that the term **Grease Monkey** is synonymous with “Mechanic”, and that **Monkey Wrench** equates to an wrench with an ajustable jaw, but neither quite fall into the oh-so familiar **“monkey-like”** category, as far as I can tell. So why the **Monkey** reference? [sub]Both can hold bananas, but I don’t think that’s it[/sub]. ---
**Author:** ![Linear\_Crack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Linear\_Crack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linear_Crack)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/2 "2001-08-02T06:08:33Z")
Grrrr. The subject line should read: Grease Monkey and Monkey Wrench? I dunno wahappen! ---
**Author:** ![Gaspode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gaspode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaspode)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/3 "2001-08-02T06:34:26Z")
[Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) lists the origin of Monkey Wrench as “unknown”. The story I heard was that it was invented by a man named Monke, hence the name. Probably just another UL though. I’m not sure grease monkey has any special relationship to mechanics. Since I’ve seen plenty of refernces to Pin Monkeys (bowling alley attendants), Powder Monkeys (construction explosives experts) and various other professional experts I’d WAG that it’s just a generic American term for someone who does job that’s percieved as being low-skilled and dirty. ---
**Author:** ![Gaspode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gaspode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaspode)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/4 "2001-08-02T06:36:54Z")
And that should have read “various other professional 'monkeys”. ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/5 "2001-08-02T15:53:59Z")
monkey! monkey! monkey! monkey! That’s cool, but I always liked “baboon” more. baboon! baboon! baboon! baboon! grease baboon! baboon wrench! [sub]Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/6 "2001-08-02T16:17:15Z")
[obligatory Simpsons Reference] Don’t forget the Monkey Butlers! [/obligatory Simpsons Reference] ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/7 "2001-08-02T16:33:15Z")
I’ve never thought that “grease monkey” was as bad as “sandhog” or (snort) “soda jerk.” ---
**Author:** ![aaslatten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@aaslatten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaslatten)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2001, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grease/74608/8 "2001-08-02T18:32:41Z")
The word “monkey” in reference to mechanics and the other occupations named, besides being a term for “low-level, dirty jobs,” also has a nice visual impact. A job that requires much hand-over-hand manipulation, for instance, likens the worker to a monkey with his manual agility.