The Full Monty
I was hoping to find the origin of the phrase the full Monty recently, but it remains elusive. Some sources suggest it refers to Field Marshal Montgomery. While there are anecdotal references to his habit of eating a full English breakfast before going into battle, as well as mention of his full and rigorous wartime briefing style and the full array of medals that adorned his uniform, there's no real evidence to support a connection.
Another suggestion is that the phrase was gambling slang for the pool of money to be won in the Spanish card game 'monte', but again this isn't verified.
The phrase has popularly gained the meaning 'to strip off completely' since the 1997 film The Full Monty. It's fitting then, that there's a possible clothing connection, too; Monty may refer to the tailor Montague Maurice Burton, supplier of men's suits in the early 1900s. His customers had the option of buying a standard two-piece suit or spending a little more and going for the full Monty – a three-piece suit, complete with waistcoat.
Of course it may be that the phrase is simply a corruption of 'the full amount', but I like to think there's more to it than that. If anyone has any other ideas, I'd be intrigued to hear them.
Dear Catherine,The most accepted version of 'the full Monty' origin is the old habit of Argentinians putting stones inside the corn sacks they exported to make them heavier. But corn bought in Uruguay was sure to have nothing but grain, and the Brits got the full amount, but modified to the Full Monty, an endearing term for Montevideo. Our brothers are still prone to take other people's belongings, like our Martin Garcia island which doesn't impede their claiming the Falklands!