why do they call a monkey wrench a monkey wrench?

Answer 1

The monkey wrench and stillson pipe wrench were both named after there respective inventors. (Charles Moncky and Daniel C. Stillson)

A pipe wrench is commonly misidentified by those people not in the trade as a monkey wrench. The major difference between the two is a pipe wrench has serrated jaws (one of which is angled) while a monkey wrench has smooth parallel jaws.

Answer 2

The term "monkey wrench" is also used colloquially to refer to the pipe wrench.

Concerning the origin of its name, this from William Rogers, The Progressive Machinist, Theo. Audel & Company, New York, 1903:

In his interesting article upon the genesis of machine design, Mr. W.H. Sargent spoke of the slide which moves up and down in the handle of a monkey wrench as resembling a toy monkey, and thereby drew an analogy. To this Mr. H.E. Madden writes: "The wrench is not named from this, neither is it so called because it is a handy thing to 'monkey' with. The right name is 'Moncky.' Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, sold his patent for $2,000, and invested the money in a house in Williamsburg, Kings County, N.Y., where he afterward lived."

Answer 3

The wrench is not named from this, neither is it so called because it is a handy thing to 'monkey' with. The right name is 'Moncky.' Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, sold his patent for $2,000, and invested the money in a house in Williamsburg, Kings County, N.Y., where he afterward lived."

Answer 4

it is called a monkey wrench becuase auto mechanics are known as grease monkeys. Therefore gease monkeys would use a monkey wrench.

Answer 5

well see originally it was called a wrench and then this monkey got a hold of it and played with it..in the end killing someone very important...so they were like hmmm lets call it a monkey wrench :P

Answer 6

Charles Moncky