As drunk as a lord

Posted by Bruce Kahl on August 16, 2005

In Reply to: As drunk as a lord posted by Smokey Stover on August 16, 2005

: : Does anyone knoe the meaning of "As drunk as a lord"? A simple reply would be appreciated - 12 year old's english homework.

: Meaning? It just means really drunk. Why "as a lord"? Well, I know very little about English peers, but I suppose some of them used to drink heavily. The expression dates from around 1891 or before. But why is it part of a child's homework? SS

It has always been very macho for men to pride themselves on how much liquor they could consume at one sitting.

In the 1700s and 1800s overindulgence was considered a sign of gentility and was considered gentlemanly.

Back then men of status would vie in a one-upmanship of drinking each other under the table---hence your simile.