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Reply to: Brass Monkeys
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Previously on "Brass Monkeys"
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It's urban myth.
The cannon balls weren't stored in pyramids as they'd roll everywhere whenever the ship would list. Also IIRC the temp would have to drop by a huge amount in order for the brass to contract by enough.
Google could probably answer this better
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Don't know about "triangles" but I have heard the definition of "Monkeys" being the table/rack used to store/hold cannon balls aboard warships (old warships obviously).Originally posted by BrilloPad View PostSomeone once told me that a brass monkey was a triangle used to store cannon balls. In cold the brass would shrink quicker than the balls so the balls would roll off.
They were made of Brass - because brass doesn't spark (unlike iron) so wouldn't cause the gunpowder magazines to explode if knocked....
Brass would/does expand/contract very differently to iron cannon balls so (theoretically) an iron Ball would/could fall off a "Brass Monkey" in extreme cold.......
But I always had the feeling that this was actually an (albeit old) Urban Myth.
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I heard "brass money weather" was short for "freezing the balls off a brass monkey", so you could be right (especially since balls shrink in the cold).Originally posted by BrilloPad View PostSomeone once told me that a brass monkey was a triangle used to store cannon balls. In cold the brass would shrink quicker than the balls so the balls would roll off.
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100% agree with Darmstadt weather report this time. I copped out and took a tram 2 stops this morning instead of walking.Originally posted by darmstadt View PostA bit non-tepid this morning, its either -11 or -16 or -18 depending upon whichever source (-16 says my thermometer) outside at the moment. Went out for my breakfast fag and it weren't too bad but then again, not much movement is needed there.
Not a good start to the year's exercise
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Someone once told me that a brass monkey was a triangle used to store cannon balls. In cold the brass would shrink quicker than the balls so the balls would roll off.
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Brass Monkeys
A bit non-tepid this morning, its either -11 or -16 or -18 depending upon whichever source (-16 says my thermometer) outside at the moment. Went out for my breakfast fag and it weren't too bad but then again, not much movement is needed there.Tags: None
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