[net.nlang] three sheets to the wind

budd@arizona.UUCP (11/21/83)

"Three sheets to the wind" is not a nautical term.  This is a common
misconception.  The term really comes from windmills (this is really true!)
of the old fashioned holland type.  They will stay in balance with two or
four sheets out, but with one or three sheets to the wind they will become
rather unbalanced.  Hence the phrase.