British phrases

[footfootfoot]

My two cents re: three sheets to the wind:

First, despite what at first blush would be considered a "sheet", the sail is just a sail. A sheet is the rope used to fasten the sail to an anchor point, usually the deck. This sheet controls your sail and thence, your sailboat. When you lose control of your sheets, the sails flap extrememly violently to the point of destruction of the sail and anyone who tries to apprehend it.

Three sheets to the wind is extrememly, violently out of control. Unless your boat is becalmed, then you proceed to become three sheets to the wind.

Re: "Pubcrawls" When I was a bike mechanic we did something like a pub crawl with our three speeds. We'd ride from bar to bar having a drink or two at each place. The last person to arrive had to buy the first round. Something like that.

"family allowance" we have "family jewels"
Dog's body? = bee's knees? something great.