The Monkey Paw Curls

Charlottesville

August 13, 2025

I was unaware — but now I am enlisted turned.

"Monkey's paw curls" is a phrase originating from English author W.W. Jacobs' horror short story "The Monkey's Paw" and has become an idiom.

The short story first appeared in Harper's Monthly in September, 1902, and was reprinted in his third collection of short stories, The Lady of the Barge, later that year.

The phrase signifies a situation where a wish is granted, but with unintended, often negative, and ironic consequences. The phrase is used to describe situations where something desirable comes with a significant, unforeseen, and undesirable price.

In the story, the monkey's paw is a magical artifact that grants wishes, but each wish comes with a terrible price, highlighting the dangers of interfering with fate. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of tampering with destiny.

The phrase has entered popular culture, with references in various media, including The Simpsons. It is often used to describe situations where a wish or desire is fulfilled, but with negative or ironic outcomes. For example, if someone wishes for a large sum of money, but the money comes from an illegal source or causes unexpected problems, that could be considered a "monkey's paw" situation.