Eggcorn Forum

‘three sheets to the wind’ 144,000 ghits
‘three shits to the wind’ 448 ghits, almost all relating to song by ‘NOFX’

I had been hoping for, perhaps , three ‘sheeps’ to the wind (there is one) but stumbled instead into this. To be “three sheets to the wind” is to be drunk and rolling about like an ill-manned sailing ship, but “three shits to the wind” doesn’t readily suggest rollicking inebriation…

Plus he always retains his dignity, even when three shits to the wind. Laura, you just reminded me of a horrible dream I had last night! ...
www.flickr.com/photos/pooair/174739515/ – 59k –

So I tried inserting ‘give’ at the beginning and found several like this…

I absolutely could give three shits to the wind if I ’ m on your list , or if you find me offensive , pleasant , or just plain fucked up ( Truth be known …
www.myspace.com/blazefighter348 – 155k –

This last example reminded me of the recent ‘could/couldn’t care less’ post and seemed to be moving towards an idiom-blend. I tried ” give two shits to the wind”...

I and the millions of other Linux enthusiasts could give two shits to the wind about some “right of passage” or “right of succession” required to get code …
kerneltrap.org/node/5679/191634 – 61k –

I don’t give two shits to the wind if I’m from Missouri, I’m gonna Rock Chalk Jayhawk for the rest of my life. Love going 4wheelin and throwin some mud. ...
profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=55228250 – 134k –

So. Both two and three sheets to the wind indicate drunkenness; not giving (or giving) either two or three shits is a measure of how little the writer or speaker cares about something. “Three (or two) shits to the wind” is an idiom blend but might it also be an eggcorn?