Yup, time for another edition of Back Words.
Today, we cover the phrase "Three sheets to the wind."
We all know that this refers to someone who is rather intoxicated, but what the devil does that have to do with sheets? Or wind?
This is a term based in nautical heritage. In the olden days of masted ships with sails, a crewmember was expected to handle his responsibilities of sail control lively. A sailor who was losing control of a sail, which was said to then be "to the wind" or "in the wind", was considered lubberly. If one were to lose control of, say, three sheets, then you were a lumbering buffoon with no motor skills whatsoever, and your intellect would be called into question. Maybe even your parentage.
Therefore, "three sheets to the wind" indicated that you are way out of control, stumbling, and not at all in full possession of your faculties.
2 comments:
I Like this segment.
The term "Groovy" is an early 1960's rock and roll term referring to the grooves in a 45 rpm record. The term was short lived and by the 70's wasn't used much. It was revived for the 1990's by "Ash" a character in the movie Army of Darkness.
Now here is one for you Owen...
Where did the term "Cool" come from?
I shall have to find out!!
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