To be full as a howitzer: Where does this Germany saying come from?
News News blog
The crude German expression "to be as full as a howitzer" or "to be as full as a beach howitzer" is used colloquially to express that someone is very drunk. But where does this expression actually come from? A look at military history sheds some light on this.
The howitzer to which the phrase refers is a special artillery piece. In contrast to cannons, which fire flat, howitzers are steep-firing guns. This means that they fire their shells at a high angle, which makes it possible to hit targets behind cover or in positions.
Origin of the idiom in the 18th century
The expression "to be as full as a howitzer" came into use as early as the 18th century. At the time, it referred to the powerful explosive charge contained in this gun. Just as a howitzer was packed full of gunpowder and grenades, a drunkard is also "full" - albeit with alcohol.
Beach howitzers to reinforce the idiom
In the 19th century, the "beach howitzer" was added to reinforce the idiom. These stationary guns were usually positioned in coastal batteries to protect beaches and harbour entrances.
If the beach howitzers were not properly covered, their barrels would quickly fill up with water and sand if their muzzles were not closed and the guns were not regularly maintained. Therefore, someone who was "full as a beach howitzer" was considered to be particularly drunk.
Today, many people no longer realise the military origins of this expression when they describe someone as "full as a howitzer". However, the figurative language has survived to this day and everyone immediately understands what is meant: the person has clearly had too much to drink.
