"Monkeys and parrots"

[davver]

What is the origin (and exact meaning) of this phrase much-beloved by all NCOs?

[Skids]

How is this phrase used?

[davver]

For example, when a bunch of soldiers are hanging around for a while and someone comes and tells them to get their kit together and go somewhere, they'll say, "Pick up your monkeys and parrots and follow me", or "Got your monkeys and parrots? Good, let's go." Basically it means kit but I wondered what on earth the origin was and whether it actually referred to specific pieces of kit.

[Quizmonster]

To have a monkey on your back originally meant to be angry and later came to mean you were a drug addict. Whatever...the idea of having a monkey on one's back is quite old. Similarly, parrots - � la Long John Silver - are often seen to sit on their owners' shoulders.

As a result, I'd guess that the military phrase relates to the fact that soldiers have to load up their shoulders and backs with equipment...bergens, rifles etc etc...in situations such as you describe.

[Skids]

It was originally a naval term.  It was used a lot during Burma by sailors and dockies alike.  The army picked it up from the dockies as the army were often transported by sea.  Where it actually originates from I'd agree with Quizmaster.  Its no longer heard within the navy though, it appears that only pongos use it now.

[davver]

I have since heard from another source that it's from when soldiers posted in the Far East or India were about to embark to come home. They would be faffing around getting last minute souvenirs etc which might well be native animals as pets, so 'picking up monkeys and parrots' was often a cry to get a move on with the last thing you do before you leave. Basically 'finish what you're doing and get on board'.

As with any saying though, I'm sure there's more than one story about the origin!

[LoungeLizard]

I agree with the above answers.

I would add that I used to work with a guy who had served many years in the British Army and this was one of his favourite expressions; was funny first 5 or 6 times.

His version was: "Pick up your monkeys and parrots and get fell in facing the boat"; and he would say this in exactly the situations described above.

[Peter Pedant]

The idea of a monkey on your back being a pain in the neck is straight forward

the monkey bites your neck, and any animal has difficulty in dislodging it....