For Both Roy and KG's Knee -
Both of you should know that historically using chimpanzee, monkey, ape - in connection with African Americans - is derogatory.
https://www.historyonthenet.com/authentichistory/diversity/african/3-coon/6-monkey/
In some instances, of course. In this one, no way. Using idioms with no racist intent isn’t racist.
Monkey wrench, barrel of monkeys, monkey’s uncle, monkey business, monkey see monkey do, going ape, etc. None are racist.
Roy - I have read your posts for well over 12 or 13 years. I didn't become a blog member until Oct 2009. I lurked on the blog as an observer for several years before I actually joined it.
I know you are smarter than this.
Of course those words ALONE have no meaning to them - but - as the link I posted states - those words IN CONNECTION with African Americans - are derogatory.
To be honest I'm disappointed in you, roy. I believe you know this but are simply trying to insult my intelligence.
I'm admittedly not the sharpest knife in the draw but I'm FAR FROM the dullest.
C'mon now.
If somebody used it in a demeaning way, yes. But if somebody said “the boys are getting up to some monkey business”, the phrase doesn’t mean different things if the boys are white, the boys are black, or the boys are a mix of blacks and whites.
The world is a complicated enough place without having to walk on egg shells regarding our language. I suspect if somebody is insulting you, you’d know it without having to parse their words. We’re they angry, demeaning, condescending, etc.? Using idioms that are in some cases hundreds of years old with no context related to African Americans isn’t a sign of racism to me.
Frankly, I’m sick of all the special rules in society about what you can and can’t say, based solely on one’s identifying characteristics. The only thing that should matter is intent.