E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Monk,
in printing, is a black smear or blotch made by leaving too much ink on the part. Caxton set up his printing press in the scripto’rium of Westminster Abbey; and the associations of this place gave rise to the slang expressions monk and friar for black and white defects. (See FRIAR, CHAPEL.)
1
Give a man a monk (French, “Luy bailler le moyne).” To do one a mischief. Rabelais says that Grangousier (after the battle of Picrocho’le) asked “what was become of Friar John;” to which Gargantua replied, “No doubt the enemy has the monk,” alluding to the pugnacious feats of this wonderful churchman, who knocked men down like ninepins. (Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel, book i. 45.)
