- published: 09 Jan 2014
- views: 428883
Monkey see, monkey do is a saying that originated in Jamaica in the early 18th century and popped up in American culture in the early 1920s. The saying refers to the learning of a process without an understanding of why it works. Another definition implies the act of mimicry, usually with limited knowledge and/or concern of the consequences.
The saying probably originates from the folklore of Mali, West Africa, made well known by Esphyr Slobodkina's retelling, which she calls Caps for Sale (A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business). There are also various other versions of this folk-tale, such as The Hatseller and the Monkeys by Baba Wagué Diakité, set in Mali.
In French, the same saying exists: Singe qui voit, singe qui fait.
Monkey See Monkey Do has become so popular that a new series based on the saying, has been produced which is interactive with young children. Produced by HiT Entertainment, the TV series is shown on PBS Sprout where it has grown to be among the first three positions, Disney Latin America shows the show and another 100 countries.[citation needed]
wake up early in the morning sun arise
confound the theory of evolution in your eyes
they don't want to tell you
they'll try to sell you
to dispel your fears
listen here
we're all playing monkey see monkey do
we forgot what it's coming to
we're all playing monkey see monkey do
we forgot what it's coming to
heads up patricidal monday afternoon
i've got a rope and a tire hanging in my room
i'm not at my station
it's a fine vacation
happens every year
listen here
i've seen cannibals in the night
they live like animals stalking each other
just to have some peace of mind
see them following the eyes of the blind
it's all right later in the evening
sun goes down