Inebriated

[SpikeyBush]

Involved in a discussion elsewhere the phrase 'being half cut' arose when describing someone who has been on the outside of a few too many cold ones. What is that all about?

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4088

[Buenchico]

One explanation (but I wouldn't be surprised if there are others):
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090728135236AAyLoTP

[malagabob]

A term my parents used to use, especially my father who was an ex soldier. Army related I think.

[Jackdaw33]

Another phrase, meaning the same thing is:

Three sheets to the wind. Obviously a nautical reference.

[douglas9401]

According to Plato there are as many definitions of 'half cut' on the internet as there are stars in the sky.

It's true!

[Buenchico]

The OED agrees with Mamya's answer:

'Cut' is defined as shown:
https://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/726676Cut.jpg
with 'half-cut' not being recorded in use until 1893:
https://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/396906HalfCut.jpg

[Mamyalynne]

That's the year they brought in rationing the rotten so and sos ;-)

[Jackdaw33]

P???? as a newt. Why newt?

[vetuste_ennemi]

Half-seas over

[Mamyalynne]

Best explanation for 'Newt' seems to be due to their ungainly gait on land.

[Jackdaw33]

That kind of makes sense, Mamya.

[douglas9401]

Okay, that's lizards covered, what about 'off your ***'?

[douglas9401]

tyts

[Buenchico]

JD33:
If you scroll down to the post "by Ken Greenwald » Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:01 am", here, you'll find a very well-written summary of the various theories about "p!ssed as a newt"
http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=22390

[1ozzy]

That would indicate one hasn't been drinking wholesome and healthy mothers milk but something from a bottle Doug ;-/

[douglas9401]

Ah, VB. :-)

[Jackdaw33]

Rat-arsed. Where do rats come into it?

[1ozzy]

Or Tooheys ;-)

Highly inebriated people usually act in an ugly fashion Jack.

Ever had a look at a rats *** close up?

I personally haven't but I could imagine it wouldn't be picture perfect.

[douglas9401]

In a country where you can go to a drive through bottle shop, get your poison put in the boot and pay for it without turning off your engine then take your grog into a restaurant and drink it without anybody blinking, I'll drink whatever you say. :-)

[1ozzy]

Or we could sit next to a river with a bait less hook in the water and get thoroughly legless and nobody would bat an eyelid ;-/


I'd rather go fishing than pay someone to make and serve me a meal I may not like.