Even more proof that B. Franklin was awesome
The habit has traveled with the language: in America, in particular, English speakers have sought to expand the range of euphemisms for inebriation. In January 1736, Benjamin Franklin published “a new Piece, lately communicated to me, entitled the DRINKERS DICTIONARY” in the Philadelphia Gazette, which offered 228 “distant round-about phrases,” culled from the taverns of the town, which were understood “to signify plainly that A MAN IS DRUNK.” My favorites include the following:
(From NYTimes Op-Ed: Besotted - Etymologically, That Is)
“He sees the Bears”
“He’s got his Top Gallant Sails out”
“He’s kiss’d black Betty”
“He’s Eat a Toad & half for Breakfast”
“Been too free with Sir Richard”
“Nimptopsical”
“Trammel’d”
I wish people still used such euphemisms for being drunk. How wonderfully silly are they? Next time, instead of being “hammered” or “wasted”, I shall be “nimptopsical.”
I'm Alisha, but some cool kids call me "Leash" because they're too lazy to add the extra syllable at the end, but I love them and this nickname anyway. It is a fact that I enjoy: Chuck Bass, Berryline, watching movies and shows via Surfthechannel, photography, graphic design, and procrastinating. It is also true that I am a broke college student.My other blog is here, a collection of things that I find inspiring, beautiful, or both. Also, see my Twitter, my other way of avoiding work.
Email me at: adramos [at] fas [dot] harvard [dot] edu.
