[Idiom] Johnny Tremain idiom

[Unregistered]

What is the meaning of the expression "in the cups"--i.e. the soldiers were already "in the cups"?

 

[Barb_D]

Drunk. Intoxicated.

 

[buggles]

Drunk. Intoxicated.

Agreed, but in the UK we'd usually say, "...in their cups."

 

[Anglika]

Agreed, but in the UK we'd usually say, "...in their cups."

This book is set in Revolutionary America, so I would take the author's usage in this context.

 

[Barb_D]

On a quasi-related note, how is that war referred to in the UK?

 

[Anglika]

On a quasi-related note, how is that war referred to in the UK?

The American Revolution [ in which the settlers, many of whom still supported the rule of Britain, but others influenced by events in Europe decided to revolt against British taxation without proper representation in Parliament]. My collateral ancestors lost everything and ended in Canada.

 

[buggles]

On a quasi-related note, how is that war referred to in the UK?

We also refer to it as The American War of Independence.