I’ve heard Montgomery Alabama referred to as “Monkey Town” going back to the 80’s when I was in the USAF. (Montgomery has a large Air Force training base.)
I recently used the expression referring to Montgomery and was told that it was a racist term. Urban Dictionary, not the font of all etymological information, indicates that it is, but this is the first I’m hearing of it. So, what’s the Dope?
I used to hear Montgomery Wards (RIP large retail chain) being referred to as Monkey Wards.
So, in reference to the city, it could be because of the the black people living there. Or it could be because it naturally morphs into Monkey.
The Funky Town song will never be the same for me again.
It might be racist, but I doubt it started out that way.
We used to call Montgomery Ward “Monkey Ward” when we were kids. You know - MontG - Monkey. Get it?
Nothing racist about it.
Heh. I finally ninjaded someone…or maybe I monkied them?
Just some cursory Googling indicates that it might have come from truckers. They did have some nicknames.
Those monkeys make great Ninjas…
I disagree with this list in regard to “Cow Town”. I’ve always known Fort Worth, TX as cow town. But, other than that, Montgomery is on this list as “Monkey Town”.
The Navy also has some colorful city names. “Fort Lickerdale” is one that stands out in my mind.
“Lickerdale” or “Liquordale”?
Liquor in the front. Poker in the rear. 
I’m from Montgomery, born and mostly raised. Still live here.
I remember when I first started hearing “Monkey Town” in the early 80s.
I don’t know where it started or who started it.
But yes, it’s racist. It’s DEFINITELY racist. It’s one of those terms that the politest and most genteel of white southerners will utter, knowing exactly what its implication is but claiming all innocence if called on it.
I hate the term and am disgusted by those who use it, particularly those who laugh when they say it.
[Noticing forum] I don’t have any kind of cite to back this up except my own personal experience with the term in the actual location. I honestly wouldn’t know where to find a cite, except for someone who lives there. If a mod isn’t OK with this, then I’ll happily withdraw my post. Oh, and I’m Caucasian, if that makes a difference.
Why, yes. Yes, they do.
I hate to disagree, but I have to because as a former CBer, I know all the truckers used nicknames for all the big towns. Montgomery being tough to pronounce for example, became monkey. it’s short for montgomery, montgy-monkey. Chicago is chy [or shy] town, etc. There’s nothing racist except in the heads of people that want to think it is. I don;t know why people think its what people of color were called. maybe it was but there are other towns in AL that were known for having higher percentages of that minority much more than montgomery. in fact IT was predominately white until the 80s and that term predates that. But let’s cancel that like we’re cancelling everything else!!!