Watch out! There is a monkey in meAmong the last issues we shared some idioms about cats behavior projected on humans. I hope these kinds of articles keep on helping those who are trying to improve English as a foreign language. Consequently, today we will continue on the same chord, but not that far in the evolution chain. Monkeys are very similar to humans and I know there is nothing new in saying this. Charles Darwins theory of evolution says that monkeys and humans share a common ancestor. Additionally, nowadays genetics proves that the two species share more than one gene. Despite of the genetic fact, we surely enjoy watching monkeys because they often act like us. William Gilbert, a song writer, wrote for the musical Princess Ida that Darwinian man, though well-behaved, at best is only a monkey shaved. Following the echoes of this statement makes me remember many monkey expressions in English which are about tricky or playful people. One of these expressions is monkey shines. Pulling tails, stealing food, doing tricks is a common behavior among monkeys, and some people too. So, when a teacher says to a group of students Stop those monkey shines right now! you should know that kids are playing instead of studying. They are tricking or being foolish.

You might hear that same teacher or an adult warn a child not to monkey around with a valuable piece of equipment or something fragile. We monkey around with something when we do not understand the consequences of breaking a valued piece or the importance of a topic. Touching or playing with something you should leave alone is the meaning of this expression. Besides, you can monkey around when you feel like doing something, but have no firm idea of what to do. For example, you tell your friend you are going to spend the day monkeying around with your car. Well, you do not have any job or goal in mind.In earlier years among many American cities, men playing musical hand organs on the street were frequently found. Dancing to the music was the mans small monkey dressed in a tight-fitting, colorful jacket similar to a military uniform. So, people began to call a military uniform a monkey suit.You could also hear from the news a report saying there is monkey business involved in building governmental projects, with some officials getting secret payments from builders. Monkey business usually means secret, most of the time illegal activities. Talking about corruption and blackmailing, someone may make a monkey out of a person. When this someone scams and the victim is very upset, the inner animal comes out.If one monkey has fun, imagine how much fun a barrel of monkeys can have! If your friends tell you they had more fun than a barrel of monkeys at your party, be really proud of it. Your party was spectacular and amazing. You should know that they had a really great time. As you could read in this article, English, as every language, has a bunch of idioms and phrases built by the daily routine and peoples genius. I hope this brand new year long, we continue sharing English vocabulary to enrich our skills.

Happy New Year 2014!