Aug 24, 2001 04:02
23 yrs ago
English term
Anja
to have a monk on
Non-PRO
English
Other
Would anybody know where the idiom "to have a monk on" originates? If so, please indicate your sources. Thank you.
Responses
| 0 | more info |
Julia Gal
|
| 0 | Norse origin? |
Julia Gal
|
Responses
50 mins
Selected
more info
Hi again,
I have found a reference to this expression in the dictionary of colloquialisms:
"monk on Noun. A bad mood, a temper. (Yorkshire/Nottinghamshire/NE Midlands use) "
Thinking about it further, I realise that one possible explanation is that often monks were bound to silence as part of their vows and the main characteristic of someone 'with a monk on' would be looking straight-faced and not saying a word...
Just need to prove this hypothesis, now...
I have found a reference to this expression in the dictionary of colloquialisms:
"monk on Noun. A bad mood, a temper. (Yorkshire/Nottinghamshire/NE Midlands use) "
Thinking about it further, I realise that one possible explanation is that often monks were bound to silence as part of their vows and the main characteristic of someone 'with a monk on' would be looking straight-faced and not saying a word...
Just need to prove this hypothesis, now...
Reference:
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
37 mins
Norse origin?
Hi Anja,
AFAIK, 'have a monk on' is not very common outside the (East) Yorkshire area and means 'to sulk' or 'to be in a bad mood'.
I would assume, therefore that it is of Viking (Norse) origin, like so many other words in the Hull / Grimsby dialect.
Unfortunately, I am not at home right now and don't have access to suitable reference material, but I would suggest you check out old Norse / viking sources...
Hope this helps (or at least gives you a starting point)...
Best wishes,
Julia
AFAIK, 'have a monk on' is not very common outside the (East) Yorkshire area and means 'to sulk' or 'to be in a bad mood'.
I would assume, therefore that it is of Viking (Norse) origin, like so many other words in the Hull / Grimsby dialect.
Unfortunately, I am not at home right now and don't have access to suitable reference material, but I would suggest you check out old Norse / viking sources...
Hope this helps (or at least gives you a starting point)...
Best wishes,
Julia
Something went wrong...