barrel of monkeys

English
WOTD – 1 March 2024

Etymology

Possibly influenced by barrel of fun or barrel of laughs.[1]

Pronunciation
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌbæɹ(ə)l‿əv ˈmʌŋkiz/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˌbæɹəl‿əv ˈmʌŋkiz/, /bɛ-/
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Hyphenation: bar‧rel of mon‧keys

Noun

barrel of monkeys (plural barrels of monkeys)

  1. (idiomatic, informal) Someone or something very amusing or funny, fun, mischievous, etc.
    Synonyms: hoot, riot
    He thinks he’s a barrel of monkeys, but he’s not particularly entertaining.

Usage notes

Also used with other vessels, such as bag of monkeys, cartload of monkeys, and wagonload of monkeys.

Translations

References
  1. “a wagonload (also barrel, etc.) of monkeys” under “monkey, n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, July 2023.
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