Can Any English Word Be a Synonym for "Drunk"?

The Drinker’s Dictionary, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, contains a substantial list of synonyms and phrases that mean alcohol intoxication. Drunkenness is seen as a vice, but is also so common throughout human history that using other terms is to be expected. These synonyms, called drunkonyms, can come and go or could have a long life, and the list is being added to daily as new generations produce their own slang, so we have counted thousands of them. You can find a very long list of drunkonyms in the appendix of this paper.

Most of these drunkonyms began as words meaning something else. Can any English word be turned into a drunkonym? Some believe that's possible, although the context would have to be right for others to understand how a new word is being used. There are obvious exceptions. Consider the phrase "I got laid last night." The context is there, but the word "laid" already means something different even in context, which would be understood by most of the people you know. Antonyms are a problem, too, because if you said "I got sober last night," no one would perceive that you are saying you got drunk. Cultural context matters as well, as in the word "pissed," which means drunk in British English and "angry" in American English. But if you know the speaker's language, it can be understood. -via Metafilter

(Image credit: Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería)


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To expand on your exceptions, all that is needed is the addition of an adjective or the conversion of the word to an adjective. "I got laid low last night."; "I was anti-sober last night." Or maybe, "I was so pissed last night that I got pissed and pissed away an entire paycheck just before getting arrested for pumping raw sewage,"
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