Meaning of powder monkey | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An explosives expert; a person who sets explosives.
   informal
2. A person employed to carry gun powder from the ship's magazine to the gun deck during a battle; in the 18th century Royal British and U.S. Navies, this task (also carrying water) during battles became a permanent nickname for the ship's cabin boys and apprentice seamen.
3. A skier or snowboarder who avidly seeks out the “powder” (light, dry, fluffy snow).
   informal

Equivalents

Examples

“Snowbird has been amending its reputation as a destination primarily for the steep-and-deep skiers and powder monkeys. Off the Baby Thunder lift⟳ in 1995, the resort has a largely protected area that has gentle slopes great for less experienced skiers.”

“How's about this then me little powder monkeys... A chance to WIN⟳ A SNOWBOARD OF YOUR CHOICE up to the value of £350.”

“On the opposite, western boundary, the blue fingers under the Timberline Express⟳ are training grounds for powder monkeys, flanked by mellow glades and blessed with small natural hits and stashes of deep snow⟳.”

“Yes, getting up the mountain is more of a hassle — powder monkeys will probably yelp in frustration because of the extra minutes involved each morning. But if you want⟳ a more laid-back holiday, […] you’ll love⟳ it.”

“There are lots of fine cutovers into untouched sugar for powder monkeys (snow⟳ permitting, of course).”

CEFR level