good drunk

good drunk

English

Etymology

Probably first used in literature in this manner by Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926). [1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

good drunk (plural good drunks)

1. (idiomatic) A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.
   • 2004, Shane Watson, "drink," New Statesman, vol. 133, no. 4717, p. 56:

     In many quarters, "it is important to be a good drunk to fit in socially" (make that across the board if you are male).

   • 2005, Karen Emmerich (translator), Vassilis Vassilikos (author), The Few Things I Know About Glafkos Thrassakis, →ISBN, p. 108:

     He was drinking a lot back when I first met him. A real heavy drinker, but a good drunk. He never let his ugly side show.

   • 2008, Geoff Coates, In June the River‎, →ISBN, page 142:

     The boss and my fellow workers were well aware of my drinking habits, but I had always been able to keep my wits about me. I was a good drunk, as they say.

See also

• hold one's liquor

References

1. Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises (1926), p. 148 of 1954 Scribner's edition: "Mike was a bad drunk. Brett was a good drunk. Bill was a good drunk. Cohn was never drunk. Mike was unpleasant after he passed a certain point."