Code Monkey and Proud

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I've seen the term "code monkey" thrown around a lot lately. It's a rather pejorative term that, given it's recent uses, I believe is a good approximation for "technically adept" The following most recent example I've seen in a post by somebody named 'bg'

http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?joel.3.320584.29

Given the original post I'll assume that

A) This isn't the only interview question

B) The job requires the ability to write C efficiently.

When exactly did being technically adept become worthy of insults in this profession? What does that make all the people that come by and ask the code monkey many questions on a daily basis?

- Mike