Many times in my life I have been described as being, “Drunker than Cooter Brown”.
Many times I have seen friends who overly imbibed; I too was compelled to say that they were, “Drunker than Cooter Brown”.
Who was Cooter Brown?
Exactly how drunk was he?
No one knows.
“Bud, don’t fight him. You’re drunker than Cooter Brown.” (Sissy trying to dissuade Bud from fighting Wes, Urban Cowboy)
I have always heard the phrase “Drunk as a coot”, which make much more sense. “Coot” is a slang term for a stupid person or a simpleton. It derives from the water bird of the same name, which is not known for it’s grace on the water or in flight.
I would guess that “Cooter Brown” is an extention or corruption of “coot”.
Cooter Brown’s is a pretty decent bar in New Orleans. One of the bartenders has an eye patch. Everybody there, (including myself) was usually prety drunk. Maybe it’s an obscure reference to this bar. Anyway they have sign with a grizzled cowboy who looks completely soused. He must be Cooter Brown.
You should go there drink a lot, and ask him.
Cooter Brown’s in New Orleans has only been around since 1977. It was named Cooter Brown’s because of the phrase.
http://www.cooterbrowns.com/main.html