- Playing
- The Full Monty
- From
- Chrysti M. Smith
Does the origin of the phrase "the Full Monty" come from a card game, a field marshall, or a tailor? This Chrysti the Wordsmith episode explores these possibilities.
"Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute weekday modules are produced at KGLT Montana
State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on
Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally
on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
More from Chrysti M. Smith
Until the Fat Lady Sings
(00:02:03)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
The expression "the opera ain't over until the fat lady sings" gained national attention in 1978.
Leotard
(00:02:02)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
Jules Leotard is the eponym of the costume worn by dancers, gymnasts and acrobats.
Dressed to the Nines
(00:02:02)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
"Dressed to the nines," like so many English idioms, is a mysterious expression.
Amazon
(00:02:03)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
Who were the original Amazons, and why do they share a name with the South American river and the bookselling giant amazon.com?
Rule of Thumb
(00:02:03)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
The genesis of the phrase "rule of thumb" is uncertain.
Good Samaritan
(00:02:03)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
The story behind the coinage of the common expression "good Samaritan."
Best Laid Plans
(00:02:02)
From: Chrysti M. Smith
A discussion of the origin of the expression "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."
Piece Description
Does the origin of the phrase "the Full Monty" come from a card game, a field marshall, or a tailor? This Chrysti the Wordsmith episode explores these possibilities. "Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute weekday modules are produced at KGLT Montana State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
Broadcast History
"Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute weekday modules are produced at KGLT Montana
State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on
Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally
on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
Transcript
The Full Monty
It wasn’t until the 1997 release of a British movie that Americans were exposed to the expression the full monty, meaning “everything, the total amount.” The film tells the story of six unemployed steel workers who turn to stripping for some extra cash. Before an enthusiastic female audience, the men moult their garb, finally revealing the "full monty."
Unfortunately, the history of that this expression does not reveal itself as easily. The phrase has sparse recorded evidence before the late 1980s, but it quickly gained currency throughtout Britain in the early 90s. Those who track the sources of words and phrases can only take an educated guess at the origin of the full monty.
One theory involves a card game called monte; the winner of the high-stakes game would rake in the whole kitty, or the full monte.
Another story links the expression...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
"Pencils--Family Suite"
Stuart Weber
Hired Man's Dream
Bridger Records
1992