Freeze the balls off a brass monkey

Navy phrase for canon balls. The balls are placed in a round structure called a monkey. The plates had indentations to hold the balls on the bottom layer in place. The base was made of brass. When brass gets cold it contracts and the balls displaced.

It is so cold it would freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

by WxDub December 19, 2016

freeze the balls off a brass monkey

The cannon balls on a man o' war were stacked and held in place by a brass ring on the deck known as a brass monkey. In cold weather the sea spray would turn to ice thus freezing the cannon balls together and onto the ring.

Hence the expression "It's cold enough to freeze balls on a brass monkey" or simply "brass monkey weather". Note that the correct phrase is "on" NOT "off" a "brass monkey". The expression is often corrupted to hint at an association with a man's testicles balls

by TimB June 12, 2005

talk a tin ear off a brass monkey

To talk incessantly. A colloquialism. Origin. Gert Godfrey or likely one of her ancestors.

Adrian could talk a tin ear off a brass monkey

by James B. Beam May 27, 2023

brass monkeys

rather chilly!

"Fookin Hell man, its cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!"

abbrev. to : brass monkeys

i.e. : its brass monkeys out here

by wankelschnitzel October 8, 2003

brassmonkey

Referring to very harsh or severe weather

Cor luv a duck, its brassmonkey weather.

Or

Its cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

by pillock September 24, 2004

Brassmonkey

a derek short that is monkey like...has an extremely large cock n balls...likes to make monkey noises in mrs gnaus biology class.. Loves to get his d wet

OMG HE IS SUCH A BRASSMONKEY

by RODRIGO BAJO April 9, 2009

bassmonkey

An Ultimate Incredibly uber elite player who is cl of #pwn.cs clan

Bassmonkey you own

by Nirgora February 5, 2003