Where did the phrase "More fun than a barrel full of monkeys" come from?

Answer 1

the phrase comes from the old fashioned toy "Barrel of Monkeys" where the monkeys were in funky kind of poses and a child could link them together and use them as jewelry, a belt, or as in Toy Story, a rescue service. When the toy came out kids had tons of fun linking the monkeys together and hence the phrase which was also later used as a marketing ploy. in certain toy stores they still have "Barrel of Monkeys" which is now made by Milton Bradley toy company I believe

Answer 2

I believe the game "Barrel of Monkeys" got it s name from the already existing phrase, "More fun than a barrel of monkeys".
According to Wikipedia, the game didn t come out until the 1960s. However, I recently listened to an episode of the old radio show, "Our Miss Brooks", which only aired on the radio until 1957. The particular episode I listened to, "Boynton s Parents", apparently aired in 1949. In that episode, Miss Brooks sarcastically says, "...sounds more fun than a barrel of depressed monkeys", obviously intentionally misquoting the common phrase, "More fun than a barrel of monkeys".
So I still don t know where the phrase came from, but it s at least been around since 1949.

Answer 3

The children's game that was popular in the 70's. A Barrel of Monkeys.

Answer 4

Because a barrel of monkeys is funny!!

Answer 5

From a particularly boring monkey

Answer 6

if you've ever played with a barrel of monkeys you will understand