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Yesterday I asked a similar question about the phrase "three sheets to the wind".
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj_FmxoAuXj3Ex65NeK4w_3sy6IX?qid=20060620102410AAkO2vu
But actually, the version that I've heard and used involves "four sheets". Is there a difference in meaning for you between these two expressions (i.e. "three sheets to the wind" and "four sheets to the wind")?

I'm not asking about the origin of these phrases. I already learned about that here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoonD4liWrYv..usfLhpkvXzy6IX?qid=20060622172913AAuG2L8

2006-06-23 05:55:49 · 20 answers · asked by drshorty 7 in Education & Reference Words & Wordplay

Seikilos, I know what you're talking about about ask.yahoo.com. It's important to take any Internet source with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, the sailing reference seems to be supported consistently by almost everyone who answered the question, including yourself. Which part of the answer do you think is inaccurate? Is it the knot thing?

2006-06-23 07:45:41 · update #1

20 answers

it means you are really drunk,almost unconscious.

2006-06-23 05:57:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

In our sailboat it would be a very serious situation as it would mean all the sails were flapping loose in the wind and we wold be in danger of being out of control - the lines for adjusting and securing the sails would have come undone. The difference between three and four sheets is the number of sails in use.

In life outside of sailing, I wouldn't say it means falling down drunk, but certainly on the way, and to me "three sheets" or "four sheets" would be the same.

2006-06-24 04:34:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

For me, this is the first time I heard the term "Four sheets" actually used. "Three sheets" is always the preferred term and it simply means the sucker is really drunk and looking like a three master that is luffing (sails flapping out of control in the wind), which makes the ship shudder and stagger, quite like a drunk.

As for trusting the phrase origin from ask.yahoo.com, they are not only incorrect on this answer, but also on other answers I have examined and they do not provide citations for their sources. Without properly cited sources, information should never be trusted or used. ask.yahoo.com is useless as an acceptable reference.

2006-06-23 07:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by Seikilos 6 · 0 0

Yes, there is a difference in the 2 sayings. It describes the level of highness. 4 sheets is like saying you're as "high as a kite", maybe not too drunk, but close enough to it & definently HIGH... 1 or 2 sheets would be getting a good buzz (just beginning), 3 sheets is higher & 4 sheets is getting real close to being drunk... then there's actually being drunk & then being flat-out-drunk (the level of possiblly passing out from it).

2006-06-23 06:17:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

I've never heard of 4 sheets to the wind, but if it is the same as 3 sheets, then not onlu are you drunk but have to be practically passed out.

2006-06-23 10:01:01 · answer #5 · answered by broadwaytunelover 2 · 0 0

Being drunk and using an expression to clarify it up. Three sheet's to the wind I would say is drunk. Now the four sheets to the wind is drunk and don't remember. Like falling down and being stupid.

2006-06-23 06:01:16 · answer #6 · answered by pomsquad2003 2 · 0 0

It means "wobbly, falling down drunk." It comes from terminology from the days of sailing ships. The edges of the square riggers' sails were tied to the yard arms with ropes called "sheets." A "sheet to the wind" was one that had come loose, allowing that corner of the sail to flap. A sailor who was "four sheets to the wind" was, as would be a sail with all four corners untied, out of control.

2006-06-23 06:17:09 · answer #7 · answered by lordplyewood 2 · 0 0

To me... it means drunk to the point of being unable to control muscle coordination. I always heard the expression as "three sheets to the wind".

I always thought it would be a good name for a rock band.

2006-06-23 06:16:56 · answer #8 · answered by fdoe1016 1 · 0 0

"Four sheets to the wind" means falling down drunk, drinking full speed ahead. Comes from a sailing term where all sails are set and flying.

2006-06-23 06:01:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What does the expression "four sheets to the wind" mean to you?
Yesterday I asked a similar question about the phrase "three sheets to the wind".
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj_FmxoAuXj3Ex65NeK4w_3sy6IX?qid=20060620102410AAkO2vu
But actually, the version that I've heard and used involves "four sheets". Is there a...

2015-08-10 05:58:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It means to be drunk. And there is no such thing as three sheets, the correct phrase is "four sheets to the wind".

2006-06-23 08:45:48 · answer #11 · answered by Brandy 6 · 0 0

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