Real People. Real Conflict. Real Romance.
Historical Romance
in the style of Jane Austen
Idioms: Intoxication
Gentlemen's phrases for being intoxicated
What phrase(s) do you use to describe being tipsy?
Our Regency era gentlemen had a few phrases depending on company and the level of intoxication. Something important to know with these terms is they were gentlemen slang and not words a gentlewoman would be likely to use or hear.
In his cups—drunk
A trifle disguised—slightly drunk
Foxed—inebriated
Bosky—inebriated
Ape-drunk—very drunk
Be with malt over water—drunk
Drunk as a wheelbarrow—very drunk
Eaten Hull cheese—drunk
Half-sprung—tipsy
Jug-bitten—inebriated
A little cut over the head—tipsy
Properly shot in the neck—drunk
Tap-hackled—drunk
Top-heavy—drunk
Most of these can be spotted in Georgette Heyer’s writing since she loved to include slang and thieves cant, words and phrases that would be heard in a gambling den but not in a drawing room!
Bookmark these lists for fun, which include common Regency slang, Georgette Heyer slang, and thieves cant: https://candicehern.com/regencyworld/language/