Half-seas Over

Almost up with one. Now applied to a person almost dead drunk. The phrase seems to be a corruption of the Dutch op-zee zober, “over-sea beer,” a strong, heady beverage introduced into Holland from England (Gifford). “Up-zee Freese” is Friezeland beer. The Dutch, half seeunst’s over, more than half-sick. (C. K. Steerman.)

“I am half-seas oʹer to death.”

Dryden.

“I do not like the dulness of your eye,

It hath a heavy cast, ʹtis upsee Dutch.”

Ben Jonson: Alchemist, iv. 2.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

Half-seas Over

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