The French.

Originated by Groundskeeper Willie of the Simpsons. Popularized by Jonah Goldberg, National Review Online Editor-at-Large
"Bonjooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuurrrrr, ye cheese-eating surrender monkeys."
by Baller-Ass Nigga July 07, 2003
mugGet the cheese-eating surrender monkeysmug.
In the singular usage it more generally refers to a person holding French citizenship. More specifically, to a Frenchman holding an opinion that is deemed (by the listener) as unsupportive - especially regarding foreign policy or military matters.

It refers to the supposed cultural habits of Frenchmen - cheese eating and surrendering when any slight agressive action is taken towards them or their country. It is considered perjorative in any sense.
No war in Iraq? What are they thinking, those damn Cheese eating surrender monkeys?
by Bob Dobbs April 11, 2003
mugGet the Cheese eating surrender monkeysmug.
Ignoring all the other definitions linking the phrase to the simpsons.

The Phrase was originally used by an American General in WW2 to describe the French and did not magically spring to life during the mid 1990s.

Just to corrent all those who beleive everything they read on the web
"Looks Like We're Gonna Have To Save Those Bloody Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys Again"
by BobTheDog December 25, 2005
mugGet the cheese eating surrender monkeysmug.
If France or the french and continental Europe had stood up to the Nazis, like Britain and Canada, rather than roll over like cheese eating surrender monkeys, then the war would've ended much earlier, saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of British, Canadian, Australian, American, and Russian soldiers.

We gave them freedom. They gave us body hair and Body odour.
by Doogie Robertson November 04, 2006
mugGet the Cheese eating surrender Monkeysmug.
n. -- a citizen of France (SYN. see spineless)

The term derives from the French military history, especially in reference to their lack of vitories.
"It's not his fault. He's a cheese-eating surrender monkey."
by DamnProudAmerican May 19, 2004
mugGet the cheese-eating surrender monkeymug.