Definition of monkey around

The origin of the phrase "monkey around" can be traced back to the early 20th century. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that it might have originated from the behavior of children, as they used to mimic the playful and mischievous nature of monkeys. In the Victorian era, zoos became popular, and people became more interested in animals. Monkeys, in particular, held a special fascination for people due to their social behavior and their ability to learn and mimic human behavior. The phrase "monkeying around" started appearing in literature during this time, often in association with playful and mischievous behavior. For example, in the 1929 novel "Escape" by David Goodis, the character Bernie says, "They've finally got him cornered. He's monkeying around there in the back." In the 1930s and 1940s, the phrase gained popularity in the United States, particularly in African American communities. It was often used to describe the playful behavior of children, as they played and interacted with each other in a way that resembled the social behavior of monkeys. The phrase has since become part of mainstream English and is used to describe playful and light-hearted behavior, often in a social context. While the origin of the phrase can be traced back to the behavior of monkeys, it has evolved over time to encompass a wider range of playful and mischievous behavior in humans.