still want to know about "you're pulling my leg" origins!

but I found this to add to that old chestnut, The Brass Monkey Debate :

" HMS Victory and Greenwich used to have an educational piece as part of the tour, according to them a 'Brass Monkey' was a small brass cannon from the time of transition from bronze to iron, usually swivel mounted that used stone ball or cylinder shot, both of inconsistent size and shape. 'Freezing a brass monkey' either refered to the cannon shrinking enough that *some* shot wouldn't fit so slowing the reload, or 'Freezing the tail off a brass monkey' was the tail being the handle at the end of the gun used for aiming which reportedly broke when levering a piece around on the pivot.

Another story is apparently pawn brokers where originally known as brass monkeys and the three brass balls hung outside the shop has something to do with the idea ..."

From: "charles" (via cache on Google : USENET ARCHIVE)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.metalworking
Subject: Re: How do they make worry balls?



cheers! R-J