Is That A Monkey He’s Got A Gun?
Is That a Monkey? Hes Got a Gun!
When you hear the phrase “Is that a monkey? He’s got a gun!”, what comes to mind? Perhaps a scene from a movie or TV show, or maybe a childhood memory of playing with toy guns. But what does it really mean?
This phrase is actually a reference to a famous painting by American artist George Wesley Bellows. The painting, titled “Dawn of Battle”, depicts a group of soldiers charging into battle, led by a soldier who is wielding a rifle. The painting is full of energy and excitement, and it captures the chaos and confusion of war.
But what does the monkey have to do with it? Well, the monkey in the painting is actually a symbol of the chaos and confusion of war. It represents the fear and uncertainty that soldiers feel as they go into battle. The monkey is also a reminder that war is a brutal and savage business, and that even the most civilized people can be capable of terrible violence.
The phrase “Is that a monkey? He’s got a gun!” is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war. It is a reminder that war is not a game, and that it should never be taken lightly.
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Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun? | Is That A Monkey (He’s Got A Gun) is a song by American rock band The Guess Who. | It was released in October 1970 as the lead single from their album American Woman. |
Year Released | 1970 | Peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
Writer | Randy Bachman | Producer: Jack Richardson |
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Origin of the phrase
The phrase “Is that a monkey he’s got a gun?” is often attributed to the American actor and comedian W.C. Fields. However, there is no evidence that Fields ever said this phrase. The earliest known use of the phrase is in a 1933 short story by the American author Damon Runyon. In the story, a character named Harry the Horse is asked by a police officer if he has a gun. Harry replies, “Is that a monkey he’s got a gun?”
The phrase has also been attributed to the American actor Humphrey Bogart. However, there is no evidence that Bogart ever said this phrase either. The phrase may have originated in the early 20th century as a way to express surprise or disbelief.
Cultural significance of the phrase
The phrase “Is that a monkey he’s got a gun?” has been used in popular culture in a variety of ways. In the 1950 film noir The Asphalt Jungle, the character of Doc Riedenschneider (played by Sam Jaffe) says the phrase to his partner, Cobby (played by Marc Lawrence). In the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night, the character of Virgil Tibbs (played by Sidney Poitier) says the phrase to the character of Bill Gillespie (played by Rod Steiger).
The phrase has also been used in music. The rock band The Kinks released a song called “Is That a Monkey He’s Got a Gun?” in 1966. The song is about a man who is being chased by a monkey with a gun. The American rock band The Doors released a song called “Monkey Man” in 1967. The song is about a man who is possessed by a monkey.
The phrase “Is that a monkey he’s got a gun?” has also been used in advertising. The insurance company Geico used the phrase in a commercial in 2013. The commercial featured a monkey with a gun who was trying to rob a bank. The commercial ended with the tagline, “Don’t let a monkey with a gun ruin your day.”
The phrase “Is that a monkey he’s got a gun?” is a popular expression that is used to express surprise or disbelief. The phrase has been used in popular culture in a variety of ways, including film, music, and advertising.
What does it mean to “have a monkey on your back?”
The phrase “have a monkey on your back” means to have a problem or burden that is difficult to get rid of. The phrase is often used to describe a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. It can also be used to describe a person who is struggling with mental illness or a difficult personal situation.
The phrase “have a monkey on your back” is thought to have originated in the early 20th century. It is believed that the phrase was first used by sailors to describe the feeling of having a heavy weight on their backs. The sailors would often compare the weight of the monkey to the weight of their responsibilities or the burden of their lives.
The phrase “have a monkey on your back” is a powerful image that can be used to describe a variety of difficult situations. The phrase can help people to understand that they are not alone in their struggles and that there is hope for overcoming their problems.
Some other phrases that have similar meanings
There are a number of other phrases that have similar meanings to “Is that a monkey he’s got a gun?” These phrases include:
- “A monkey on your back”
- “A millstone around your neck”
- “A weight on your shoulders”
- “A burden to bear”
- “A cross to bear”
These phrases all convey the idea of having a difficult problem or burden that is difficult to get rid of. They can be used to describe a variety of situations, including addiction, mental illness, and difficult personal situations.
These phrases can be helpful for people who are struggling with difficult problems. They can help people to feel understood and to know that they are not alone in their struggles.
Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?
Q: What is the origin of the phrase “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?”
A: The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 1900s, and is thought to be a reference to the prevalence of guns in the American South. It is often used to express surprise or disbelief, and can also be used as a threat.
Q: What is the meaning of the phrase “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?”
A: The phrase can have a variety of meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. It can be used to express surprise or disbelief, as a threat, or as a humorous reference to the prevalence of guns in the American South.
Q: Who is the original artist of the song “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?”
A: The original artist of the song “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?” is unknown. However, the song has been covered by a number of artists, including Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Ray Charles.
Q: What is the most popular version of the song “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?”
A: The most popular version of the song “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?” is the one recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1931. Armstrong’s version of the song is a jazz standard, and has been covered by a number of other artists.
Q: What other songs are similar to “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?”
A: There are a number of songs that are similar to “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?” in terms of style and genre. These songs include “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “Singin’ in the Rain”, and “The Charleston”.
Q: Where can I find the sheet music for “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?”
A: The sheet music for “Is That A Monkey He’S Got A Gun?” can be found online at a number of websites, including SheetMusicDirect.com and MusicNotes.com.
the song Is That a Monkey Hes Got a Gun? is a complex and nuanced work that defies easy categorization. It is a song that can be interpreted in many different ways, and its meaning is likely to change depending on the listeners perspective. However, one thing is for sure: the song is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom of speech and the dangers of censorship.