1) getting so
drunk at a
party that one wanders off into the woods to wake up wondering "where's my underwear" and "this wolf lends new meaning to 'coyote
ugly'" circa late 19th/early 20th centuries, usually derogatory reference to
Irish ancestry and careless intoxication;
2) to do a thing without permission (especially to leave: as to leave a post, charge, elected/appointed office, husband/wife, or social position)
3) other versions:
3 a) the "French leave" circa 18th century English (citation: Merriam Webster: 1768-
71) and references a
party-goer exiting without properly taking "leave" of the host, often when wine has compromised coherency or motor function, or when disgraced by social or political position, behavior, or opinion;
3 b) filer à l'anglaise (FR) ("to leave English style")
3 c) άδεια από τη σημαία (Greek) ("leave on lowering of the flag (without discharge)") essentially to abandon one's post at nightfall
3 d) despedida a la francesa (Sp) ("goodbye in the French way", "
French farewell")
3 e) most European languages reference "in the English way" with dates of common usage suggesting association with derogatory reflection on English civil wars, Welsh conflicts,
Irish independence, and even a resurgence of usage with Brexit. Spanish and English reference
French with derogatory connotation. English adds
Irish, Scotch, Welsh, and Boer.
