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Why do we say 'Three Sheets to the Wind'?

Average: 4 (3 votes)
Mon, 04/28/2008 - 10:45 — Chris McCarthy

 

'Don't drink too much tonight, you were three sheets to the wind last weekend.'

This expression is used to describe someone who is drunk to the point of being unable to stand up straight. The ‘sheets’ here refer to the sails of a windmill rather than bed linen. Windmill operators used to add or remove the number of sails according to the strength of the wind.

One basic rule that they had to follow was to always keep an even number of sails – either two or four – opposite each other in order to keep the windmill balanced and steady. If they ever had three sheets, the windmill became unstable and extremely wobbly, swaying from side to side very much like someone who has enjoyed a little too much alcohol!

 

‘No wonder you feel so bad this morning, you were three sheets to the wind last night.’

 When was the last time you were 'three sheets to the wind'? Add your comments below!

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Comments

Thu, 09/11/2008 - 07:42 — grivna

Three sheets to the wind

It's very funny and interesting. I found another expression: "to be under the surface", it means being unconsious because of too much alcohol, not only being unstable and wobbly!

And another interesting thing that in my native language we haven't expressions concerning with the windmill.

Thanks a lot, I'll try not to be "three sheets to the wind" - it is a bad situation I think.

Thu, 10/29/2009 - 17:04 — kate_blackbutterfly

three sheets to the wind

this is really funny... i didn't know this expression...
well... i've never been three sheets to the wind... i had a really good trainer... Laughing

Wed, 10/01/2008 - 13:14 — zishuli

It won't happen.

I have never been" three sheets to the wind" and I don't think it will have any chances happen to me in the future. I'm pratically a teetotaler, all my friends know it.

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Every witch has her own crystal ball.

Thu, 02/05/2009 - 10:51 — uu_880

I also have never been three

I also have never been three sheets to the wind. And I hope I won't.
My religion doesn't allow that

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:08 — Sozanove

Never

I have never been three sheets to the wind. It is not allowed by my religion.

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 20:16 — Yura

Thank you very much for the

Thank you very much for the good explanation of this idiom.

Fri, 09/25/2009 - 15:12 — ynastia

Three sheet to the wind

It's catastrophic situation. I hope I will never be three sheet to the wind!

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 08:25 — mahmudi_javad

I've never been same

I've never been same condition because i don't drink alcohol

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 01:26 — arabalivapur

I use alcohol but I've never

I use alcohol but I've never lost my balance.. So, I haven't been three sheets to the wind

Sun, 03/21/2010 - 14:49 — stephanie lee

why?

how come that three sails will keep the windmill unstable?

Wed, 08/04/2010 - 17:46 — peace_b_upon_u

Three sheets to the wind

Last night, she was three sheets to the wind & slept in the street.