[gusopol3]

I wonder where/how “monkey “ became a nickname for “Montgomery?” My grandmother, born in the 1890’s, used to call the old retailer Montgomery Ward, “Monkey Ward’s.”

[Pharmboy]

I started coming to Montgomery County about five years ago, and then we got married, and I have lived here for 2 years. It was when we first met about five years ago that I spontaneously referred to it as "Monkey County." She looked at me in amazement, and said "How did you know we called it that?" I told her I didn't, but it seemed natural to shorten it that way.

So, what I am saying is that it is an organic phenomenon that many people do on their own. I know I did.

[Albion Wilde]

I wonder where/how “monkey “ became a nickname for “Montgomery?”

It's because of the old-time Maryland accent, which has to be heard to be believed. It's almost impossible to write in our alphabet; but here are some approximations:

Maryland = Merlin
County = Cowny (sometimes written Canny)
House = Hayuce
Files = falls
Out = ayoud
Moon = mewn
Ground = graynd
Down = dayn
Store = stewr
Bel Air = Blair
Montgomery = Mgummy (which has become tricked up to become Monkey)