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From: dwl@mtx5b.UUCP (D Levenson)
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: 3 sheets to the wind
Message-ID: <1413@mtx5b.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-May-85 10:16:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtx5b.1413
Posted: Wed May 15 10:16:26 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 16-May-85 07:41:21 EDT
References: <356@rtech.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ
Lines: 19

A tour-guide on Nantucket Island (Mass.) was showing us a Windmill.
She pointed out that there were four blades, each consisting of a
wooden latice-work.  Cloth sails are applied over these blades when
wind power is to be harnessed.  All four sails are deployed in a
light breeze.  Only two are used in a strong wind (don't harvest
more energy than you can safely consume!).  She added,
parenthetically, that you had to use two or four sails -- with three
the mill would be unbalanced.  This, she claims, is the origin of
the expression.  

I consider the nautical origin more likely.

-- 

	"I haven't lost my mind;
	it's backed-up on tape somewhere."

					Dave Levenson
					AT&T-IS, Holmdel, NJ