VOA慢速英语2021--Monkeys Cause the Best Kind of Trouble

And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.

On this program we will explore English expressions. On today's program we talk about animal expressions!

English has many animal expressions – too many to name. Also, in English, as in many other languages, some animals have come to have certain reputations. That is to say, they are known for certain behaviors.

For example, dogs are loyal. We often call them "man's best friend." Cats are independent and mysterious. In old stories, snakes and foxes are not to be trusted. Turtles do things slowly. While rabbits are full of energy.

Then there are monkeys.

Monkeys have a reputation for being silly and causing trouble. Good words for that are naughty and mischievous¹.

Monkeys are especially known for being fun. And if one monkey is fun, just think how much fun many monkeys would be! If an activity or event is super fun, we can say it is "as fun as a barrel of monkeys." Even a fun person can be described as a barrel of monkeys.

Now, a barrel is a large wooden container. I'm not sure how to get monkeys into a barrel. But I'm guessing it would be fun.

While we are on the subject, keep in mind that fun and funny are used differently. If something is funny it makes you laugh. If something is fun it is simply enjoyable.

For example, last weekend I went to a party and it was really fun. At the party, my friend told me a funny story, and I laughed out loud.

Some word historians think that the expression "barrel of monkeys" was first recorded in 1895. It describes the playful behavior of these primates³. We use it to describe any type of fun of activity or person.

To call something a barrel of monkeys is definitely informal. You could call a really fun event a riot. Where I grew up in West Virginia, people might call something really fun a hoot⁴. That is also informal and a bit rural.

Now, monkeys do more than have fun. Because they are also smart, they are known for causing trouble. So, it is not surprising that we have monkey expressions that describe causing trouble.

The first is to simply "monkey around."

To monkey around means to goof⁵ around or cause harmless trouble. But it could lead to more serious trouble. So, a parent may warn a child, "If you monkey around someone could get hurt. So, stop it!"

If I make a funny joke at a work meeting, someone could tell me to stop "monkeying around and get serious."

Our last expression is "monkey business."

Monkey business usually means dishonest activities. For example, most people expect a little monkey business in politics. It just seems to come with the territory, as we like to say.

Here at VOA Learning English, we don't monkey around with English. We take it very seriously. We are all business. But not, you know, monkey business – that would be bad.

Words in This Story

reputation – n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something : the way in which people think of someone or something

loyal – adj. having or showing complete and constant support for someone or something

silly – adj. having or showing a lack of thought, understanding, or good judgment⁶ : foolish or stupid

naughty – adj. behaving badly

mischievous – adj. showing a playful desire to cause trouble

primate² – n. any member of the group of animals that includes human beings, apes, and monkeys

informal – adj. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary, casual, or familiar use

hoot – n. something or someone amusing

goof around – v. to spend time doing silly or playful things

1 mischievous   

adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的

参考例句：

• He is a mischievous but lovable boy.他是一个淘气但可爱的小孩。
• A mischievous cur must be tied short.恶狗必须拴得短。

2 primate   

n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的

参考例句：

• 14 percent of primate species are highly endangered.14%的灵长类物种处于高度濒危状态。
• The woolly spider monkey is the largest primate in the Americas.绒毛蛛猴是美洲最大的灵长类动物。

3 primates   

primate的复数

参考例句：

• Primates are alert, inquisitive animals. 灵长目动物是机灵、好奇的动物。
• Consciousness or cerebration has been said to have emerged in the evolution of higher primates. 据说意识或思考在较高级灵长类的进化中已出现。

4 hoot   

n.鸟叫声，汽车的喇叭声； v.使汽车鸣喇叭

参考例句：

• The sudden hoot of a whistle broke into my thoughts.突然响起的汽笛声打断了我的思路。
• In a string of shrill hoot of the horn sound,he quickly ran to her.在一串尖声鸣叫的喇叭声中，他快速地跑向她。

5 goof   

v.弄糟；闲混；n.呆瓜

参考例句：

• We goofed last week at the end of our interview with singer Annie Ross.上周我们采访歌手安妮·罗斯，结果到快结束时犯了个愚蠢的错误。
• You will never be good students so long as you goof around.如果你们成天游手好闲，就永远也成不了好学生。

6 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。