Monkeys and Parrots

The phrase is thought to originate in India during British rule there.

Refers to a soldiers Beret and Belt.

i.e. Grab your parrots n monkeys we're off

Parrots and Monkeys were popular pets in the days of the British Army in India, and were frequently brought home as pets when soldiers finished their service. The final command an old sweat would hear on the quayside before boarding the troopship was "Pick up your parrots and monkeys and fall in facing the boat".

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