monkeywrenching

English

Alternative forms

• monkey-wrenching, monkey wrenching

Etymology

From monkey wrench +‎ -ing, popularized by environmental activist Edward Abbey in the novel The Monkey Wrench Gang (1975).

Noun

monkeywrenching (uncountable)

1. The commission of usually illegal but nonviolent acts of sabotage motivated by environmentalism.

   Synonyms: ecodefence, ecotage

   • 1995, Martha F. Lee, Earth First!: Environmental Apocalypse, Syracuse University Press, →ISBN, page 55:

     The solitary and relatively anonymous character of monkeywrenching gave that activity a peculiar role within the movement. To openly discuss specific actions was to invite arrest; in theory, Earth First!ers^[sic] could not, therefore, discuss monkeywrenching activities in detail at their gatherings.

   • 2010, James Bishop, Epitaph For A Desert Anarchist: The Life And Legacy Of Edward Abbey, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 132:

     In reality, says one of his closest friends and an active monkey wrencher who prefers anonymity, “Ed was reporting what he saw around him. Truth be told, monkey wrenching is not even controversial in many areas of the Southwest. […]

Related terms

• monkey-wrencher