grease monkey

/'gri:s'mʌɳki/
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grease monkey

A grease monkey changes the oil in a customer's car.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • An informal, often slightly humorous or affectionate term for a mechanic: Specifically, someone whose job is to repair and maintain automobiles or other machinery. The term suggests a person who works with their hands, often getting dirty with grease and oil.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • My car broke down, so I took it to the grease monkey at the local garage.
    • He's been a grease monkey since he was a teenager, fixing up old cars in his driveway.
Advanced Usage
  • The term is informal and can be considered slang. It is often used in a neutral or friendly context but may be perceived as slightly disrespectful if used by someone outside the trade. It emphasizes the manual, hands-on, and sometimes messy nature of the work.
    • The old-timer at the shop is a real grease monkey; he can fix anything with just a wrench and some intuition.
Variants and Related Words
  • Mechanic (n): The standard, neutral term for a person who repairs machines, especially vehicles.
  • Auto mechanic (n): A more specific term for a car mechanic.
  • Technician (n): A more formal or technical term, often implying specialized training.
Synonyms
  • Mechanic: The most direct and common synonym.
  • Auto repairer: A more descriptive synonym.
  • Car doctor: A playful, informal synonym with a similar tone.
Related Phrases
  • "Shade-tree mechanic": An informal term for an amateur mechanic who works on cars at home, often under a shade tree.
    • He's not a professional, just a talented shade-tree mechanic.
Notes on Meaning
  • The term almost exclusively refers to a person who works on automobiles or similar machinery (e.g., aircraft, motorcycles). It is not typically used for other types of repair technicians.
  • The imagery of "grease" points directly to the lubricants and grime associated with mechanical work, while "monkey" is a colloquial, sometimes affectionate term for a person engaged in a specific activity (similar to "code monkey" for a programmer).
grease monkey

A grease monkey changes the oil in a customer's car.

Noun
  1. someone whose occupation is repairing and maintaining automobiles

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