sheets to the wind

A scalar quantity to describe state of mind, preferably a state of drunkenness with 0 being the smallest possible quantity and 100 being at the top of the scale. Place your coinciding number in front of the phrase to illustrate how drunk you are.

To understand this phrase we need to enter the arcane world of nautical terminology. Sailors' language is, unsurprisingly, all at sea and many supposed derivations have to go by the board. Don't be taken aback to hear that sheets aren't sails, as landlubbers might expect, but ropes (or occasionally, chains). These are fixed to the lower corners of sails, to hold them in place. If three sheets are loose and blowing about in the wind then the sails will flap and the boat will lurch about like a drunken sailor. (credit to phrases.org.uk)

to be explicitly drunk; inebriated

origin: sheets actually refer to the ropes that are used to secure a ship's sail. If the 3 ropes used were loose in the wind, the sail would flop around, causing the ship to wobble around, much like a drunk.

Old sailing term. After setting all three main sails to the wind, a ship will shudder and roll, much like a stumbling drunk. Now used as a synonym for drunkenness.

1. see also three sheets to the wind, except that the person referred to is in an even more severe state of extreme drunkenness or disarray (implied by the larger number)

2. generally incompetent, disabled, or otherwise out to lunch

Drunk

Three sheets to the wind: The condition a person arrives at after imbibing too much alcohol. When a person is very drunk on the verge of being out of control. Some where between “tipsy” and “snot-slinging” drunk. A Naval term that refers to a sailing ship traveling at the very highest limit of it’s speed.