|
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:24 am Post subject: Monkey Brain |
 |
|
What's "monkey brain"?
Is it an insult?
Does it mean someone is funny, silly, plain stupid or something else? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
It might be an insult, for instance, if someone said I had a monkey brain. If you copy the sentence or passage with "monkey brain" in it, we can answer your question better.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RESMc
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, please add the context in which "monkey brain" was used so that we can give you a more precise reply.
In my experience, "monkey brain" or "monkey mind" is a term used to describe illogical or crazy thinking that often precedes stupid or regrettable actions. Monkeys are often considered mischief-makers and trouble-makers, but they do not lack brains. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've also come across monkey tricks, meaning mischief.
Yes, monkey brain could be an insult and even if the expression is not listed in dictionaries (I didn't check), people can be creative when they want to insult.
Perhaps the most creative and longest insult (and my favourite) is in Shakespeare's King Lear.
Kent to Oswald, in William Shakespeare's King Lear.
| Quote: |
| "A knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats, a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, action-taking, whoreson glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel *beep*, one whom I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition." |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
More of Shakespeare's insults:
| Quote: |
He has everything that an honest man should not have; what an honest man should have, he has nothing- All's Well That Ends Well
He excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is- All's Well That Ends Well
His brain is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage- As You Like It
You are falser than vows made in wine- As You Like It
Breath of garlic-eaters! -Coriolanus
Take you me for a sponge? -Hamlet
You leather-jerkin, crystal-button, knot-pated, agate-ring, puke-stocking, caddis-garter, smooth-tongue, Spanish pouch! -Henry IV Part 1
You villainous abominable misleader of youth! -Henry IV Part 1
His face is Lucifer's privy-kitchen, where he doth nothing but roast malt-worms. -Henry IV Part 2
He be as good a gentleman as the devil is -Henry V
I will not answer thee with words, but blows -Henry VI Part 1
Unworthy though thou art, I will cope with thee -Henry VI Part 2
He begins a new hell in himself -Henry VIII
All goodness is poison to thy stomach -Henry VIII
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous -Julius Caesar
You have some sick offence within your mind -Julius Caesar
You are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face -King Lear
Fit to govern? No, not fit to live -Macbeth
Your sole name blisters our tongue -Macbeth
Come, you are a tedious fool! To the purpose -Measure for Measure
I pray a thousand prayers for thy death; no words to save thee -Measure for Measure
You cowardly, giant-like ox-beef! -A Midsummer Night's Dream
Being no other but as she is, I do not like her -Much Ado About Nothing
You are duller than a great thaw -Much Ado About Nothing
You are an index and prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts -Othello
God and good men hate so foul a liar -Richard II
Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes. -Richard III
Thou art unfit for any place but hell -Richard III
A fan to hide her face, for her fan's the fairer face! -Romeo and Juliet
You three-inch fool! -The Taming of the Shrew
Does thy other mouth call me? -The Tempest
Thou disease of a friend! -Timon of Athens
He has not so much a brain as ear-wax -Troilus and Cressida |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Lovely. And, as the Inferno outshines the Paradise, I'll bet these insults beat all of Shakespeare's compliments -- if anyone has bothered to compile his compliments.
While we wait for the passage with "monkey brain" in it, I am going to guess that it is, indeed, used for an insult. Probably something like, "As if you would know, monkey brain!" or "Don't even strain your monkey brain, Howard. You'll never guess."
Because it is funny, or silly, or immediately calls up the shenanigans and antics that they are famous for, adding "monkey" to a phrase has become popular in the last few years.
"I will whip your monkey a s s on the [basketball] court."
"Give me your monkey love!"
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I'd love to give you a sentence or passage to show you how it was used, but it was reported to me. I was asked about the meaning by a Korean woman who said one American teacher called a student "monkey brain". I didn't know, so I asked here. From your comments, I guess it's not common, and maybe the teacher made it up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
