Monkey See, Monkey Do
Encyclopedia
Monkey see, monkey do is a saying that originated in Jamaica in the early 18th century and popped up in American culture in the early 1920s. The saying refers to the learning of a process without an understanding of why it works. Another definition implies the act of mimicry, usually with limited knowledge of the consequences.
The saying probably originates from the folklore of Mali
, West Africa, made well known by Esphyr Slobodkina
's retelling, which she calls Caps for Sale
(A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business). There are also various other versions of this folk-tale, such as The Hatseller and the Monkeys by Baba Wagué Diakité, set in Mali.
In French, the same saying exists: Singe qui voit, singe qui fait.
Monkey See Monkey Do has become so popular that a new series based on the saying, has been produced which is interactive with young children. Produced by HiT Entertainment
, the TV series is shown on PBS Sprout where it has grown to be among the first three positions, Disney Latin America shows the show and another 100 countries .
The saying probably originates from the folklore of Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
, West Africa, made well known by Esphyr Slobodkina
Esphyr Slobodkina
Esphyr Slobodkina was a popular artist, author, and illustrator, best known for her classic 1940 children's book Caps for Sale.-Biography:...
's retelling, which she calls Caps for Sale
Caps for Sale
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business is a 1938 classic children's book by Esphyr Slobodkina. It's a sly take on the saying, "Monkey see, monkey do."-Summary:...
(A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business). There are also various other versions of this folk-tale, such as The Hatseller and the Monkeys by Baba Wagué Diakité, set in Mali.
In French, the same saying exists: Singe qui voit, singe qui fait.
Monkey See Monkey Do has become so popular that a new series based on the saying, has been produced which is interactive with young children. Produced by HiT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment
Hit Entertainment is a British-American entertainment distribution company established in 1989, and originally the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called Henson International Television...
, the TV series is shown on PBS Sprout where it has grown to be among the first three positions, Disney Latin America shows the show and another 100 countries .