A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was telling me about a recent evening out wherein, apparently, he had consumed too much alcohol. He said he was “half in the bag.” I’ve heard the expression before and knew it to mean he was overserved.

This morning, I was working on the Washington Post crossword puzzle and the clue for 51 down was “In the bag.” I was pretty sure of the answer, confirmed by filling in the words around it, as “sewn up.”

So, I’m left with this conundrum. If I drink too much, I’m half in the bag and it’s a bad thing. But, if I could somehow get fully in the bag it’s all sewn up and it becomes a good thing. It leaves open the logical conclusion that if you’re half in the bag you might be able to continue consuming alcohol, get fully in the bag, and all will be well. I’m not suggesting you try this at home, but as a bit of a curbside logician, the thought did occur to me…..