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What Is a Grease Monkey?

A.M. Boyle
A.M. Boyle

The term “grease monkey” is an idiom, that is, it is not meant to be taken literally but is used as a comparative phrase. In common vernacular, the term is used as slang to refer to a mechanic who works on automobiles. It can also be used to reference a general mechanic who works on trains, aircraft or other machinery. The phrase also refers to a certain type of software extension to the popular Mozilla Firefox® Internet browser.

The term is not usually intended to be derogatory. Rather, it draws upon the general perception that, due to the nature of the job, a mechanic, and especially an auto or mechanic, will have grease marks or oil stains on his or her clothing. It also refers to a mechanic's ability to delve into small spaces and fix problems that might otherwise be difficult for an average individual to access.

A "grease monkey" diagnoses and repairs cars.
A "grease monkey" diagnoses and repairs cars.

Although the term does not generally carry a negative connotation, that wasn’t always the case. The phrase “grease monkey” likely has its origins in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, around the time when industry was growing in both Great Britain and the United States. During that time period, it was common and acceptable to employ child laborers to work around the industrial machines. Quite often, the children were sent to perform simple repairs and maintenance on the equipment because they were small enough to reach areas not accessible to an adult. The job often involved lubricating the gears, and was often a greasy, messy process.

A mechanic who works on aircraft may be labeled a "grease monkey".
A mechanic who works on aircraft may be labeled a "grease monkey".

The children who performed the jobs of lubricating and maintaining the machinery where recognizable by the grease and oil that smeared their faces and clothing. In order to reach certain areas of the machines, a child would often have to leap and climb. As a result, the child was often compared to a monkey. That comparison, coupled with the fact that a child’s clothing and face were often grease-stained, gave rise to the phrase, “grease monkey.”

Auto mechanics are sometimes referred to as a "grease monkey."
Auto mechanics are sometimes referred to as a "grease monkey."

Being a child laborer working on the machines in those early centuries was not an enviable position. When the term first originated, therefore, it was considered something of a demeaning slur to call someone a grease monkey. Over time, the negative connotations have faded and the term is generally considered harmless slang.

As an additional note, the term “grease monkey” also refers to a specific software extension to the Internet browser known as Mozilla Firefox®. The extension is sometimes referred to using one word, “greasemonkey,” but is also identified by the two-word term as well. The program extension, developed around 2008, is used to write and install scripts.

Discussion Comments

RoyalSpyder

While I've definitely heard of the term "grease monkey" before, I didn't know that there was a Firefox extension with the same name. That's very interesting. Not only does it show how the word isn't meant to be an insult, but even more so, it shows how words can be applied to many concepts.

For example, though mechanics are known as grease monkeys because of their handiwork, I'm assuming this extension has the same name because it's used to write and install, and monkeys are supposed to be intelligent creatures.

Krunchyman

Speaking of words and phrase, has anyone here ever been a mechanic? And if so, how difficult is it? I know it doesn't exactly relate to the term, but I thought it would be interesting to know regardless.

Chmander

This is a rather interesting article that really shows how the meaning of words can change over time. For example, as the article states, though the term "grease monkey" isn't meant to be an insult, it was when first introduced. In fact, I'll even admit that when I first heard the term a few years ago, I thought it was meant to be an insult, especially with the word "monkey" put in it. However, I now know that it's just associated with being able to go into small cracks and the like.

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    • A "grease monkey" diagnoses and repairs cars.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A "grease monkey" diagnoses and repairs cars.
    • A mechanic who works on aircraft may be labeled a "grease monkey".
      By: christian42
      A mechanic who works on aircraft may be labeled a "grease monkey".
    • Auto mechanics are sometimes referred to as a "grease monkey."
      By: Linda J
      Auto mechanics are sometimes referred to as a "grease monkey."
    • Grease monkeys may work on repairing collision damage.
      By: Anna Baburkina
      Grease monkeys may work on repairing collision damage.
    • The term "grease monkey" may refer to a mechanic's ability to delve into small spaces and fix difficult problems.
      By: Diyanski
      The term "grease monkey" may refer to a mechanic's ability to delve into small spaces and fix difficult problems.