Legless

Legless (adjective / UK Slang)

(Also heard as: Absolutely legless, Legless drunk, Gone legless)

Definition:

Legless is British slang for being extremely drunk, to the point where your legs no longer seem to work. A legless person cannot walk straight and may need help getting home. It is a humorous word, often used in the morning after a heavy night out.

Where Legless Comes From:

The slang comes from the literal meaning of “without legs”, applied to the idea of being so drunk that you collapse. It was in use in British English by the 1940s and 1950s. It is similar to other drinking words such as “paralytic” and “plastered”, and it remains common today.

How People Actually Use Legless:

People say it about themselves and friends: “we were legless by eleven”. It is often paired with a story about a night out, a stag do or a wedding. The tone is light, but heavy drinking has real risks, so the word is best kept for humour about the past, not as a goal.

Is Legless Offensive?

No, but it is informal. Because it is about drunkenness, avoid it in formal settings.

Examples in the Wild:

• “He was absolutely legless at the wedding.”

  Meaning: He was extremely drunk.

• “We got legless on the stag do.”

  Meaning: We drank far too much.

• “Do not go legless on a school night.”

  Meaning: Please do not drink too much.

Similar Slang:

Pissed, Bevvy, Lairy, Knackered, Kip, Gassed

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