What does spanner monkeys mean?

"Spanner monkey" isn't a standard phrase, but it's a mix of British "spanner" (wrench) and American "monkey wrench," referring to an adjustable wrench, or more figuratively, something that sabotages plans, like "throwing a spanner in the works" or "a monkey wrench in the works". The term likely comes from old nautical usage for small, adaptable tools or the wrench's shape resembling a monkey's tail, with "monkey wrench" being the common American term for an adjustable spanner, notes Wikipedia.

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What is a spanner monkey?

A monkey wrench is a type of smooth-jawed adjustable wrench, a 19th century American refinement of 18th-century English coach wrenches. It was widely used in the 19th and early 20th century. It is of interest as an antique among tool collectors and is still occasionally used in practice.

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What does spanner mean in slang?

(UK, Ireland, mildly derogatory) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language. You spanner, Rodney! I wanted some time, not a bunch of thyme!

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What does it mean when someone calls you a monkey wrench?

Sabotage or frustrate a project or plans, as in The boss threw a monkey wrench into our plans when he said we'd have to work Saturday. This transfer of industrial sabotage—that is, throwing a tool inside machinery—to other subjects dates from the early 1900s.

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Why is calling someone a spanner an insult?

In Britain, we've got a playful (and sometimes cutting) way of insulting people — we use everyday objects and animals to describe someone being silly, clueless, or annoying. Instead of saying someone's stupid, we might call them a lemon, a spoon, a spanner, or even a doughnut. 💬 “He's a right spoon.”

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Understanding the Phrase "Monkey Spanner"

18 related questions found

Why do the British say spanner?

👉 “To throw a spanner in the works” means to cause a problem that disrupts or delays a plan, process, or system. 🛠️ A spanner is a British word for a wrench — and if you throw one into machinery, it stops everything!

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What is the slang for girl in Ireland?

“Cailín” is the Irish slang for “girl.” A lot of Irish people still use this word even when speaking in English. The plural, “Cailíní,” is also commonly used, for example, “I'm meeting up with the cailíní later on.”

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What does "wrench monkey" mean?

: a wrench with one fixed and one adjustable jaw at right angles to a straight handle. 2. : something that disrupts. threw a monkey wrench into the peace negotiations.

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What do aussies call a girl in slang?

Common Australian slang for a girl includes "Sheila" (older, sometimes dated or slightly derogatory), "chick," or just using general terms like "mate," "gal," or "lass," with context and tone being important, but "girl" is still widely used; some slang, like "moll," can refer to a girlfriend or a promiscuous woman, while "bogan" describes an unsophisticated person. 

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What do Americans call a spanner?

In North American English, wrench is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench. In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference.

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What is a spanner in cockney slang?

Spanner is Cockney Rhyming Slang for Stupid person!

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Where does the phrase "monkey wrench" come from?

We know that Solymon Merrick developed a wrench, possibly in conjunction with a worker with a name or nickname that sounded like “monkey,” in the mid-1800s. The term monkey wrench, however, was already in use in England at that time.

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Does wrench mean jerk?

to twist suddenly and forcibly; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist. He wrenched the prisoner's wrist. to overstrain or injure (the ankle, knee, etc.)

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Why does a girl call me monkey?

It's because she really find you attractive. It's a really good compliment that you can receive from someone. It mean that your relationship is in the right direction. You should also compliment her and try to seduce her, surprise her once in a while.

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What does nuts mean in balls?

a vulgar word for testicles.

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What does chug a lug mean in slang?

verb. chug·​a·​lug ˈchə-gə-ˌləg. chugalugged; chugalugging. transitive + intransitive. informal : to drink a container of liquid (such as beer) without pause.

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What is monkey spanner?

A monkey wrench is a versatile and common tool with different applications. Invented in the 19th century, the monkey wrench is famous for its F or L-shaped looks. These wrenches include a fixed upper jaw alongside a movable lower jaw. We know these wrenches as monkey wrenches because of their movable lower jaw.

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What emoji is this 🛠?

🛠️ Hammer And Wrench Emoji. The emoji 🛠️ Hammer and Wrench depicts two tools, a hammer and a wrench, crossed over each other. The hammer is on the left side and has a silver head with a black handle. The wrench is on the right side and has a silver body with a black handle.

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What does it mean to throw a bombshell?

If someone drops a bombshell, they give you a sudden piece of bad or unexpected news. See full dictionary entry for bombshell.

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What do Irish men call their girlfriends?

Mo Shearc (pronounced 'hark'): Means 'my love' Another simple version of 'mo ghrá'. Mo Rúnsearc (pronounced 'roon-hark'): Literally means 'my secret love', there is no direct equivalent in English. Mo Mhuirnin (pronounced 'mur-neen'): Means 'my little darling' or 'my dear', a more formal phrase.

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