An interesting (and rather windy) appraisal of the derivation, which denies
the physical probabilty of the cannonball triangle explanation, is on a UK
website:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cold%20enough%20to%20freeze%20the%20balls%20off%20a%20brass%20monkey.html




                                                                                                                                       
                      geoff carver                                                                                                     
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                      E.DE>                    cc:       (bcc: Vergil Noble/MWAC/NPS)                                                  
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                      10/01/2007 10:59                                                                                                 
                      AM ZE2                                                                                                           
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one story said the monkey was a sort of frame you put the cannon balls
into,
something to hold them in place while you stacked them, pyramid-style (kind

of like the thing you put your snooker/pool/billiard balls into, to set
them
up [rack?]), and that if it was really cold, the brass would contract
enough
to send the cannon balls (which would not contract quite so quickly)
flying...
whether that's true or not, i don't know, but i'm sure bob will find a
better version on google somewhere
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron May" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 7:05 AM
Subject: Re: first/third brass


> Ok, I have a question that begins with the nautical phrase "its cold
> enough
> to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" (calm down everyone, we are
> talking
> cannon balls). Were cannon balls really brass or were they bronze...and
> what
> the  heck was the monkey made of?