Everyday conversation is often laced with expressions that are metaphorical in nature. Sometimes we are aware of the origin of the expression, but often we are not.
Here is "an old attempt at humor of mine" from Jim Hepburn, 18 years older now, of course.
RE: Report on Nautical Terms
I have attempted to continue my research into the above subject. To this end, I strove to interview a fellow employee (who shall remain unnamed). Unfortunately, he had returned from "lunch" three sheets to the wind and summarily keeled over.
Having realized that I had missed the boat with this interview, I decided to try a different tack. I placed a notice on the bulletin board asking for responses. I was surprised shortly after by a visitor to my office. He was obviously under the weather, his zipper was at half mast, and I'm not sure he had both oars in the water if you catch my drift.
As you can imagine, this episode had knocked the wind out of my sails. I was now totally dead in the water – in the doldrums, so to speak. Maybe I had gone overboard in my search? In desperation, I used self-hypnosis, projecting myself mentally into being the skipper of a sailing vessel.
Bingo! This change of course was just what the doctor order (how about medical terms)? I now feel this research project to be on an even keel – no more need to batten down the hatches. I am sure I will encounter only smooth sailing and that the report will be shipshape in no time at all. At last my ship has come in.
Jim Hepburn
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