Meaning behind a saying

Gilly

Gilly

Gilly

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'Not your monkey' 'not our monkey' 'not my monkey'

What is the meaning behind it? I can only find sketchy stuff by searching the net. Anyone know?
 
Is it not a derivative of the term "monkey on my back", meaning an addiction you cannot get rid of. For example saying 'it's not my monkey' would mean the same as 'it's not my thing' or 'I can take it or leave it.' or 'it's not my area of expertise'

I'm not sure, but that's how I see it.
 
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I should probably have read this thread & said "Not my Monkey" rather than answer :P

btw I had no idea but this example seems to sum it up..

"A coworker jams the printer. Sure, you know how to unfurl the ream of paper he’s managed to force into the hopper. You’ve done it a thousand times. The entire office looks to you. Take a deep breath, hold up the NMM hand look away and speak the words. “Not My Monkey.”
He will mumble and mill about the copier room for a time, but soon the truth will settle on him and he too will learn the proper employ of office equipment."
 
Gaidin109 said:
Is it not a derivative of the term "monkey on my back", meaning an addiction you cannot get rid of. For example saying 'it's not my monkey' would mean the same as 'it's not my thing' or 'I can take it or leave it.' or 'it's not my area of expertise'

I'm not sure, but that's how I see it.
Click to expand...

Interesting input, I'd not made that leap myself. Monkey on your back is to me a weight you need to carry. It could translate.
 
turning a blind eye ?

could possibly have orginated from india or somewhere where those monkeys break into peoples houses and steal food
its not my monkey , its not yours, not ours.

ignore it?
 
My first thought was that it is in reference to having a 'monkey on your back'.

'Not my monkey' = not something I have to deal with
 
azuli said:
[...] btw I had no idea but this example seems to sum it up..

"A coworker jams the printer. Sure, you know how to unfurl the ream of paper he’s managed to force into the hopper. You’ve done it a thousand times. The entire office looks to you. Take a deep breath, hold up the NMM hand look away and speak the words. “Not My Monkey.”
He will mumble and mill about the copier room for a time, but soon the truth will settle on him and he too will learn the proper employ of office equipment."
Click to expand...
Going on this example, my initial thoughts are that it's more a reference to the oft-used organ-grinder / monkey master/servant relationship.

Essentially you're the organ-grinder absolving yourself of any responsibility by saying "Hey, it's not up to me to sort it - it's not even my monkey. Get this monkey's owner to sort it."

Never heard the expression in use, so I don't know how it's meant to be said, mind.
 
Gilly said:
Interesting input, I'd not made that leap myself. Monkey on your back is to me a weight you need to carry. It could translate.
Click to expand...

Monkey on your back usually means an addiction as previously stated, I always thought that the Not My Monkey stuff (workplace related) came from a guy called William Oncken in the 70's.
 
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