Comments on: Three sheets to the wind http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/three-sheets-to-the-wind/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Callithumpian http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/three-sheets-to-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-15123 Callithumpian Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:19:32 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=829#comment-15123 I found a use of this phrase that pre-dates 1821. See my entry here: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/15448/where-does-the-term-3-sheets-to-the-wind-originate-from/16391#16391 I found a use of this phrase that pre-dates 1821. See my entry here:

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/15448/where-does-the-term-3-sheets-to-the-wind-originate-from/16391#16391

]]> By: E Arnold http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/three-sheets-to-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-3220 E Arnold Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:46:31 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=829#comment-3220 No Way. Once your sails start flapping you lose forward motion. Your rudder will not work when you are not moving thru the water. You are effectively losing control. Any comments in this day and age as to where the term *dont bank on it* comes from? No Way. Once your sails start flapping you lose forward motion. Your rudder will not work when you are not moving thru the water. You are effectively losing control.

Any comments in this day and age as to where the term *dont bank on it* comes from?

]]> By: Robert Gramcko http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/three-sheets-to-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-2981 Robert Gramcko Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:51:11 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=829#comment-2981 Young Salt is correct loose sheets and flapping sails do not make for much drunken motion. Moreover the sheets wouldn't be in the wind or to the wind, but rather on the leeward, away from the wind. However, when a sail boat is hove to, it hobby horses around 30 to 80 degrees and the sheets are tied off on the windward side. So the term better applies when hoved to; especially when used in a storm. Young Salt is correct loose sheets and flapping sails do not make for much drunken motion. Moreover the sheets wouldn’t be in the wind or to the wind, but rather on the leeward, away from the wind. However, when a sail boat is hove to, it hobby horses around 30 to 80 degrees and the sheets are tied off on the windward side. So the term better applies when hoved to; especially when used in a storm.

]]> By: Elizabeth Lightwood http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/three-sheets-to-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-2175 Elizabeth Lightwood Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:08:17 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=829#comment-2175 Comment From Young Salt: If one lets out the sheets, which are the lines that control sail trim, the vessel does not reel crazily: it slows down significantly. The sails, on the other hand, will go mad, flap all over the place, and make a lot of obnoxious noise (the technical term is luffing). I rather expect the phrase has more to do with the behaviour of the sails than that of the ship. Comment From Young Salt:

If one lets out the sheets, which are the lines that control sail trim, the vessel does not reel crazily: it slows down significantly. The sails, on the other hand, will go mad, flap all over the place, and make a lot of obnoxious noise (the technical term is luffing). I rather expect the phrase has more to do with the behaviour of the sails than that of the ship.

]]> By: marlene Atleo http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/three-sheets-to-the-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-2128 marlene Atleo Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:01:04 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=829#comment-2128 See Sterlin harjo's film....4 sheets to the wind See Sterlin harjo’s film….4 sheets to the wind

]]>