CUEmu - Thread Posts

Jaxus

Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:00 am

In the hayday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. those cannons fired round cannon balls. it was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem... how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a "monkey" with 16 round indentions. However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the problem was to make "brass monkeys". Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentions would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus it was quite literally

"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

And all this time you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.

Message Edited by Jaxus on 03-23-2005 12:11 PM

"No honey this isn't just a game, it's my hobby"

Jaxus
Naritus Master Ranger

Cryos_Merovingian

Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:05 am

#2

How much do you bet? because I do know that.

Oh man, I hope you bet a big pile of fishing bait... muahahahaha, I own you now jaxus.

___________________________________

CRYOS MEROVINGIAN
Elder Ranger

Jaxus

Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:12 am

#3

ahh you replied before i was done editing the message, didnt you :-)

"No honey this isn't just a game, it's my hobby"

Jaxus
Naritus Master Ranger

Owen-Lars

Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:14 am

#4

LOL very nice hah.

THORTAC BALCOR
The Lost Ranger
RANGER

JokitoRoyo

Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:24 am

#5

Nice. My favourite nautical term was always "You'll have the devil to pay and no hot pitch." Woodships had to be caulked to stay watertight, one of the punishments was to make someone go below and caulk the devil, it was the longest seem on a vessel, and pay was the term for the tar sealent but it wouldn't be hot or easy to spread.

I knew about the brassmonkey, but I had never put two and two together before. Cool.

-Deleted Pesoj Maub Ex-Master Ranger/Ex-Master Rifleman Ex-SOE Customer

Come on by forum.swgranger.com the camp is up and the punchbowl is deployed!

Cryos_Merovingian

Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:17 am

#6

You're right jaxus, I did reply before you edited your post.

Very funny though, I love random knowledge like that.

___________________________________

CRYOS MEROVINGIAN
Elder Ranger

Fodder650

Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:37 am

#7

Brass Monkey - that funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey

Canon Fodder - The former Ranger/CH now unplayed Smuggler
Down to one account and thats only because its a station pass
Currently a Droid Commander in City of Villians (really)

ForceFielding

Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:56 am

#8

Why did they call a metal plate a monkey though

Cryos_Merovingian

Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:10 pm

#9