The Myth of the Left-Handed Monkey Wrench

Every new recruit in the army is subjected to a classic prank: being sent to fetch a nonexistent item, such as a left-handed monkey wrench. It's a humorous tradition among soldiers.

Origins of the Term "Monkey Wrench"

The term "monkey" was commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to refer to mechanics, as seen in the phrase "grease monkey." This likely led to the nickname "Monkey Wrench" for this particular tool.

In a standard monkey wrench, the adjuster nut follows the typical "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey" rule. However, due to the right-hand threads on the adjuster bolt, it results in a counterintuitive operation: lefty-tighty, righty-loosey.

Fetching a left-handed monkey wrench is often regarded as an intelligence test for newcomers. It's all in good fun, so new recruits can relax and enjoy the camaraderie.

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