Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Chris -- 2018-04-11
I’m sure the writer meant “rolling drunk” but such was the mirth the phrase engendered I felt moved to find this site and make a modest contribution
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Welcome to the Eggcorn Website. This is the first time I’ve heard either phrase—and I would have guessed that the “rollicking” version preceded the “rolling” version—so I’m hardly in the position to provide a full assessment. Lets start by looking at the Google counts:
Google hits on July 11, 2007
758 “rolling drunk”
245 “rollicking drunk”
327 “frolicking drunk”
“Rolling drunk” indeed has the edge over the other two.
The definition of “rollick” is: to move or behave in a carefree joyous manner: FROLIC. So, the imagery aspect works. (“Rolling” also works in what I would consider a much funnier imagery …see first example below). I’ll conclude with an example of each, and others can contribute their thoughts.
Examples
Landslides and Rickety BridgesOne young woman was rolling drunk. And I mean that literally. ... A few moments later someone saw her rolling drunk, like a runaway roll of Persian carpet, ...
www.stephenjack.com/landslides.htm – 72k – Cached – Similar pages
Dealing with trolls – SciForums.comthe one that swaggers towards me with all the misplaced confidence and bravado of a rollicking drunk looking for a barfight …
www.sciforums.com/Dealing-with-trolls-t-49812.html – 12k – Supplemental Result – Cached – Similar pages
Last edited by jorkel (2007-07-11 10:30:28)
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I don’t think it’s an eggcorn, just two different valid phrases.
Of course, there is also the phrase “to give someone a [right] rollicking” as in telling them off, but as far as I know there is no etymological link, only a phonetic one – it avoids saying “b*ll*cking” in front of the vicar.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will buy a ridiculous hat – Scott Adams (author of Dilbert)
Build a man a fire and he will be warm for a day; set a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life – Terry Pratchett
http://blog.meteorit.co.uk
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