Monday, March 30, 2009

Where did "three sheets to the wind" come from?

The phrase, which has come to refer to a completely inebriated person, derives from sailing - but not from the sails, as one might think. In the early 1800's, chains were used to regulate the angle of the sails, and these were called sheets. When the sheets were loose, the boat would become unstable and tipsy, thereby resembling a drunk person.

1 comment:

Jenny @ Practically Perfect... said...

Well that's interesting! Good to know when I'm dealing with all the drunks in ER!