Here's how the connection works:
* Plaster of Paris: This is a type of gypsum plaster that hardens quickly when mixed with water. It was (and still is) used to make casts for broken limbs.
* Getting plastered: The phrase likely arose from the literal "plastering" of a broken bone, signifying a complete and immobile state.
* Metaphorical Extension: This imagery eventually transferred to the state of being drunk, as someone who is heavily intoxicated is also rendered immobile and unresponsive, much like someone with a broken limb encased in plaster.
The phrase "getting plastered" has been around since the early 20th century, gaining popularity in the 1920s. It was likely influenced by the widespread use of plaster of Paris in medical settings at that time.
So, next time you hear someone "getting plastered," remember that it's a playful reminder of a once-common medical practice!