grease monkey

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a mechanic, especially one who works on automobiles or airplanes.

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grease monkey British  

noun

1. informal a mechanic, esp one who works on cars or aircraft

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Etymology

Origin of grease monkey

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

De Meo, who lived in several countries growing up, is not exactly a grease monkey: He exudes understated elegance, favoring tailored Italian suits and classic watches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The film opens on Friday, with Mr. Paul starring as Tobey Marshall, a diamond-in-the-rough grease monkey who just happens to possess the driving skills of a world-class auto racer.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2014

Crawford, who has a Ph.D. in political philosophy from the University of Chicago, is an Aristotelian grease monkey: he makes a living, repairing motorcycles in Richmond, Virginia, while teaching culture at the University of Virginia.

From Forbes • Jun. 23, 2011

As a World War II U.S.O. girl in a grease monkey suit, she sings I Don't Want to Walk Without You and wipes every eye in the house wet.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Wish I had better news, son. I’m just an old grease monkey, but I’ve been climbing around boat engines for long enough to know the score.”

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick