(well) I'll be a monkey's uncle

(well) I'll be a monkey's uncle

An expression of surprise or amazement. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle—Shane actually managed to get his movie made.See also: uncle

I'll be a monkey's uncle!

Fig. I am amazed! A: I just won $500,000 in the lottery! B: Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle!

I'll be a monkey's uncle

used to express great surprise. informalSee also: uncle

monkey's uncle

An impossibility. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, especially the notion that man was descended from apes, was greeted with much skepticism, and especially in parts of the English-speaking world where Creationism held sway. Hence the expression “Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle,” which was used to show grave doubts about any and all seemingly improbable situations. Another animal phrase used by doubters and scorners was “when pigs fly.”See also: uncle