The earliest stage of alcohol
consumption, when one is just barely aware of the chemical's
interaction with the brain, but not buzzed yet. As close to sober as possible, but not 100%. Usually occurs within the first couple drinks, but it varies from person to person.
One might think they are pinged after a few swigs of a drink, not because the alcohol is actually affecting their brain, but because they think they should be feeling something already. This is a
placebo effect, and causes people to loosen up for no apparent reason and others to call them lightweights.
Pinged is often the only state where one can be confident they are below the drink-drive limit.