Barrel load of monkeys

Posted by masakim on September 10, 2002

In Reply to: Barrel load of monkeys posted by Liz Harry on September 10, 2002

: Does anyone know the root meaning of the above phrase ..I have looked in several places but have been unable to find it. I would appreciate any information

: Thanking you in anticipation
: L. Harry

barrel-/wagon-load of monkeys phr. [late 19C+] a type that is very cunning, mischievous, jolly or disorderly, usu. in phr. "artful as a wagon-load of monkeys."
From Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Jonathon Green