The earliest quotation in the Oxford English Dictionary for this sense of "drift" is dated 1526: "Harde it is . . . to perceyue the processe and dryfte of this treatyse."
Found on "Phrases dot org"

The speaker may be having trouble communicating with their audience and not knowing how to better explain.

This is similar to "do you feel me?" or "do you get it?".

Otherwise there is a certain mentality and a certain consciousness along with what the speaker & the audience are generally known to understand.
Bugsy says to his cohorts in crime "I took care of it. Do you catch my drift?".
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Mantra of tee-shirt peddling scum on social media. Mostly instagram, where their M.O. is to repost content without credit or mention with the goal of feeding off of talented welders.
Do you love welder? Follow me for stolen pics daily. Visit links for shirts mugs and leggings.
by Scumfrog September 1, 2018
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Is a gut punching question, if asked at the right conditions.
"Well done, You did something that the Storm couldn't,
Destroyed the damned 33rd....
Do you feel like a hero yet?"
by Sosku10 July 3, 2023
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The arranged version of the song's lyric, by Elvis Aaron Presley(known as Elvis Presley). He performed the song called "Are You Lonesome To-Night?" in August 1969 at International Hotel in Las Vegas. The original lyric is "Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there", however he was in high mood, he apparently changed it to "Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair". A moment later, Elvis noticed that a bald man in the front row took off his wig and swaying to the music.
Are you lonesome tonight,
Do you miss me tonight?
Are you sorry we drifted apart?
Does your memory stray to a brighter sunny day
When I kissed you and called you sweetheart?
Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?
Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair?
Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?
Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?
by DDDelvissweetheart February 19, 2017
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Asked by your 10 year old cousin because he heard it at school
Cousin: Do you like dragons

Me" yes

Him Dragon deez nuts across your face

Me dies of stage 4 lung cancer and instantly wants to commit nine elevn 2.0
by Bruhddah 2 December 21, 2021
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An exclamation scientists from Half-life say from time to time.
Gordon: *hits scientist 1 with a crowbar*
Scientist 1: ARRGH
Scientist 2: MY GOD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
by Cyber_definitionist August 17, 2019
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Used when someone is annoyed at someone
Guy: Turns off light when someone is still in the room
Other guy: What are you doing?
by H3ge October 7, 2021
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