Monkey's uncle

Posted by Sharyn Finnegan on May 15, 2000

In Reply to: Monkey's uncle posted by ESC on May 12, 2000

: : "Well I'll be a monkey's uncle"

: The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 2, H-O by J.E. Lighter has "monkey's uncle - n. (used in mild oaths and expressions of surprise). 1926 Maines & Grant 'Wise-Crack Dict.' Be a monkey's uncle. Be surprised..."

: I am guessing that the expression started in connection with an incorrect interpretation that Darwin's theory of evolution states that man is descended from monkeys. (Rather than man and monkey had a common ancestor.)

ESC thank you very much for taking the time to answer. I think your guess as to this derivation is a very good one.

• Monkey's uncle Puzzled of Penzance 05/16/00
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