Interestingly (or not I suppose) my wife, from central Europe, doesn't like me referring to my son in this way. Monkey has negative connotations.
Times change.
Anyway, I'm off to smoke a fag.
Yep - Cheeky Monkey will often be heard in the UK.
1990's - yep, cheeky monkey all day long. 2020's - goodness, I hope not. E.g., I am at a holiday dinner party in Manly Beach and a person of colour, with a radiant smile who likes to tell jokes, walks up to me and starts a convo. Am I likely to say 'hey you cheeky monkey - haven't seen you in a while." *cringe*
If I do not mean it as a racial slur is it a racial slur? If I do not know its now considered a racial slur does that make me a racist? At what point am I accountable for the words I use and the impact they have on others? From my current view its about moving with the times and accepting expressions and their meanings change over time. Its about awareness, sensitivity, context and impact - no? About taking responsibility and educating myself on these matters.
My goal of showing respect to all other humans on this planet we are inhabiting together is not always successful. So, please, if I have used a racial slur please assume I did not know any better and feel free to educate me - albeit gently.
To be fair, you wouldn't call anyone over about the age of 8 "a cheeky monkey", irrespective of their colour, unless you are some kind of weirdo.
Not true!
when i search for the word 'monkey' all i get is a bunch of info about our primate cousins, monkeys. Searching for 'monkey town' brings up pics and info about family fun centers with characters dressed up as big monkeys that entertain kids.
It seems the only racist connotation is coming from the OP - OP, could you please explain your thought process here?
I call my nieces 'little monkeys'- is that okay?
Would it be acceptable when telling a story about how monkeys in Mexico once pooped in their hands and tried to throw it at me from the trees, if i clarified that I am talking about real monkeys and not about black people and that i'm definitely not racist...?
You've got to be kidding me
Such a cheeky monkey!
Won't you take me to Monkey Town?
errr, ummmm...not true. spend much time on the north shore? sure, it has more *sexy time* references these days...never mind that would be a different thread.
so, if this is a poor example perhaps you have one you would like to share?
Yes . "Up to his monkey business again!"
Yup, here we can call Trump an Orange Utan without any racial undertone in it...
oh dear. would this be missing the point? not sure. context. when and where the expression is used and to whom. really, it does matter.
was hoping for a non *sexy time* example
try again maybe?
Not sure it needs any further examples, does it..?
Especially as this thread is about a kids' play area...
Well my mother called me a little monkey in Australia when I got charged with the possession of one marjuana seed! I was 26 years old. You're always a child to a mother!
I think you missed the point.
Explain the context of how a thread title of 'Monkey Town' needs a disclaimer to not be considered racist - and then consider how adding the disclaimer makes it racist.
Theres also a" Monkey Mountain "in Germany!