Drunks and Skunks

Why do we say someone is “drunk as a skunk?”
In truth, has anyone ever seen a skunk drunk?

Written August 9, 2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Tor Avatar
August 13, 2022 at 7:22 PM
Milton I looked it up, the phrase Drunk as A Skunk and it has been around since 1920. I gues it really has no meaning it just rhymes and that is why it is used.
Hankins Avatar
August 13, 2022 at 7:54 PM
Thanks, Michael. I thought maybe it came about during Prohibition, but apparently it dates from the Roarin' Twenties. I think you're right...probably because it rhymes, but I bet no one has ever seen a "drunk skunk!"
Krutsinger Avatar
August 12, 2022 at 9:02 PM
Have you ever seen a skunk waddle? They move side to side as if they cannot see, and they are ready to fall back and forth as they do it.
Hankins Avatar
August 13, 2022 at 7:55 PM
You are so right, Caren. They have the strangest walk, and I get the idea that they don't have very good eyesight. Don't know about this for sure.
Hawkins Avatar
August 11, 2022 at 12:58 AM
Is it beer they smell of?
Hankins Avatar
August 11, 2022 at 7:56 AM
I don't know, Shirley. Do skunks drink beer????
Wolf Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Drunk on --- Oh, never mind. ~ Pepe Le P.U.
Hankins Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 7:04 PM
Oh well, you gave it the old college try!
Slaughter Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 11:18 AM
I haven't, either, L M, but I have seen some drunks who were definitely stinko.
Hankins Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 12:26 PM
Frankly, I think most skunks have more sense than to get that drunk! Apparently, drunks do not have!
Logan Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 8:43 AM
No, I haven't, but I've smelled a few, literally and figuratively.
Hankins Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 9:19 AM
(chuckling) Oh my, Jenna!
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