Full Monty (Origin)

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Full Monty"?

The term "Full Monty" means the whole thing or all the way.

Examples of Use:

• The phrase full Monty is often used to describe a situation where everything is included or done to the maximum extent.
• In the business presentation, they provided the full Monty by including detailed data, charts, and comprehensive analysis.
• When it comes to customer service, they go the full Monty by ensuring every aspect of the customer experience is exceptional.
• He didn't hold back in his performance; he gave it the full Monty with high energy and enthusiasm.
• She wanted to give her home a makeover, so she decided to renovate the entire place, going for the full Monty.

The Monty in "the full Monty" refers to Field Marshall Montgomery, who insisted on his troops eating a full English breakfast every day. Soldiers serving under Montgomery named a full breakfast after him, and subsequently anything done to the full extent was a "full Monty."

Competing Theory

The term "the full Monty" originates from the tailoring industry in the 1900s. Specifically, it derives from the tailoring business of Sir Montague Burton. Anyone who bought a full three-piece suit (i.e., jacket, trousers, and waistcoat) would have gone the "full Monty." (Note that "Monty" is given a capital letter in this meaning because it is short for Montague, i.e., it's a proper noun.)

Competing Theory

In Spain, a pile of playing cards was called a monte. Therefore, a game with "the full monty" involved all the cards.

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