Three sheets to the wind?

Factual Questions
1

So, if the phrase “three sheets to the wind” means being blindly drunk, does anyone know where the phrase actually comes from? I always kind of picture a trail of toilet paper stuck to one’s shoe…

Thanks!

-jk

http://www.IloveTattooedBassPlayers.com -> punk rock photography

2

Isn’t it something to do with sailing?
Sheets are ropes and so if three of your ropes get loose, your boat will be uncontrollable and bith you and it lurching about, quiet likely to have an accident. Compare this to people who are three sheets to the wind - they stagger about the place.
As all the sailors I have ever met know a thing or two about drinking, this seems like an excellent explanation to me.

I realise of course, that if this is me falling for the folk/UL theory, I will be forever on the list of exceedingly credulous Dopers and wil never be able to show myself at a DopeFest again.
Gulp

3

“Sheets” are the ropes that control a ship’s sails. If they’re loose in the wind …

(BTW, Google is your friend: Look here!)

4

Brilliant! Thanks for the answer… now I can go on living…