"Monkey shines"

[AniaSM]

What does this phrase mean please? I've heard it once or twice but cant work it out. Any suggestions please?

[Quizmonster]

Click here for a web-page all about the 1988 film of that name. Perhaps that will give you some clue as to its meaning.

[Quizmonster]

By the way, the word 'shines' by itself, is a reference to fellatio.

[Clanad]

The actual use of the term predates Q's example by quite a bit...
From Word Origins: MONKEYSHINES; MONKEY BUSINESS - "Foolish or mischievous activity. One assumes the sly, alert, advantage-taking behavior of the monkey gave rise to this notion." This source cites a use of the phrase "monkey business" in a 1904 Brooklyn Standard Union newspaper article. From "The Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985). A second reference has earlier dates for the phrases. " 'You may have barefooted boys cutting up 'monkeyshines' on trees with entire safety to themselves,' observes one of the earliest writers to use 'monkeyshines,' monkey-like antics, which is first recorded in 1828. 'Monkey business' was recorded a little earlier, at the beginning of the century, both words suggested by the increasing number of monkeys imported by America's growing circuses and zoos." From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997). In addition, a young black comedian in the U.S. said older blacks had accused him of "cutting monkeyshines" in front of a white audience - acting in a stereotypical demeaning manner to get laughs.
Additionally, the word 'shines' in this context is described as meaning "... A "shine" is a "prank or caper." As in "She cut a shine". From "Southern Mountain Speech" by Cratis D. Williams (Berea College Press, Ky., 1992)

[maxi2]

"Do the Monkey Shine" is a lyric from the 1966 song "Harlem Shuffle" by Bob and Earl if that helps!

[Quizmonster]

Ah, we all learn something new every day, C. Clearly, that particular use of 'shine' never caught on in Britain. Surprising in a way, given how much of your lively lingo we have adopted. And there I was, imagining the phrase 'monkey shines' might even be some particularly grotesque from of bestiality!

[AniaSM]

Thanks Clanad, that helps a lot. I had a feeling it meant some kind of mischief.

[Clanad]

You're right Q... if one fails to continue learning may as well cover up the pine box. By the way, I especially enjoyed your sprachgefuhl examination of the Macbeth origination name in another thread!

[VS Prasad]

Mischeivous doings.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term =Monkey+shines

MONKEYSHINES; MONKEY BUSINESS - "Foolish or mischievous activity. One assumes the sly, alert, advantage-taking behavior of the monkey gave rise to this notion." This source cites a use of the phrase "monkey business" in a 1904 Brooklyn Standard Union newspaper article. From "The Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985). A second reference has earlier dates for the phrases. " 'You may have barefooted boys cutting up 'monkeyshines' on trees with entire safety to themselves,' observes one of the earliest writers to use 'monkeyshines,' monkey-like antics, which is first recorded in 1828. 'Monkey business' was recorded a little earlier, at the beginning of the century, both words suggested by the increasing number of monkeys imported by America's growing circuses and zoos." From From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997). I heard another more recent use of the term "monkeyshines." A young black comedian in the U.S. said older blacks had accused him of "cutting monkeyshines" in front of a white audience - acting in a stereotypical demeaning manner to get laughs.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/19/me ssages/1016.html