Get Your Premium Membership

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




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 8/13/2022 7:22:00 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.
Login to Reply
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/13/2022 7:54:00 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!"
Date: 8/12/2022 9:02:00 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.
Login to Reply
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/13/2022 7:55:00 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.
Date: 8/11/2022 12:58:00 AM
Is it beer they smell of?
Login to Reply
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/11/2022 7:56:00 AM
I don't know, Shirley. Do skunks drink beer????
Date: 8/10/2022 6:37:00 PM
Drunk on --- Oh, never mind. ~ Pepe Le P.U.
Login to Reply
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/10/2022 7:04:00 PM
Oh well, you gave it the old college try!
Date: 8/10/2022 11:18:00 AM
I haven't, either, L M, but I have seen some drunks who were definitely stinko.
Login to Reply
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/10/2022 12:26:00 PM
Frankly, I think most skunks have more sense than to get that drunk! Apparently, drunks do not have!
Date: 8/10/2022 8:43:00 AM
No, I haven't, but I've smelled a few, literally and figuratively.
Login to Reply
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/10/2022 9:19:00 AM
(chuckling) Oh my, Jenna!

Book: Reflection on the Important Things