The phrase "freezing the balls off a brass monkey" is believed to originate from 17th and 18th century military terminology, specifically referring to a brass structure that held cannonballs. The theory suggests that in extremely cold temperatures, thermal contraction would cause the cannonballs to fall off the brass monkey. However, this explanation is contested, with some arguing that the mechanics of thermal contraction would not suffice to dislodge the cannonballs, leading to skepticism about the phrase's true origin.
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Integral said:It is my understanding that underneath the pyramids of cannon balls seen in drawings of 17th and 18th century military camps was a form called a brass monkey. When it got very cold, due to thermal contraction,the cannon balls, would become to small to remain on the from (brass monkey).
Thus "cold enough to freeze the (cannon) balls off of a brass monkey.