I'm unsure as to whether we can claim credit for coining 'sketchy' in this context, but my extended group of friends have been using the word successfully for several years to describe the cumulative effect of an evenings drug use.

"sorry everyone, I just had a sketchy incident in the toilet"

"pox is looking a little sketchy"

can also be used to describe a very happy inebriated state of being.

"How are you feeling pox?"
"Sketchy!" [grinning]

the word may be subject to the usual manipulation

i.e.
sketched out
sketching around

and also more creative attempts such as 'sketch-tastic'

;)
pox

I've never heard 'sketchy' used to refer to persons directly before. The acquired drug-reference understanding from the 'vague; incomplete' meaning of sketchy doesn't seem a long stretch though, now does it. Not really a coinage [looking skeptically].
The 'sketchy incident in the toilet' is a little confusing. This (seemingly) refers to the act of taking the drugs (e.g. chasing the dragon or snorting snow) rather than the affect thereof - so, it seems you've been very free with your employment of sketchy.
I guess your usage comes from the original meaning in a drug-related context, as such:

- You were messed last night! You remember singing on the tables?
- It's pretty sketchy


BTW, anyone here read the excellent article in The Economist about the drug industry?

Fair points. In answer to your question I feel sure that one may drink until sketchy also. I certainly wouldn't disagree that we're free with the employment of the word. It's become a catchall to deal with pretty much every context situation and emotion.
I can only advise that you try the word in anger while sketchy (or messed). It's beauty seems to be in it's usefulness - we have many converts.
PS. The 'sketchy incident in the toilet' could refer to anything: staggering about, talking to oneself, fainting, being ill, not really remembering how long you've been there etc.

> The 'sketchy incident in the toilet' could refer to anything: staggering about, talking to oneself, fainting, being ill, not really remembering how long you've been there etc.

Thus, your use of the word 'sketchy', indeed remains very sketchy

In reply to:

---

BTW, anyone here read the excellent article in The Economist about the drug industry?

---

You mean the supplement about legalising the drug trade? Interesting, I thought, but not very much I hadn't heard before.



Bingley

> You mean the supplement

Supplement? It was the cover story; a colourful cover it was too.

Survey was the word I was groping for. Anyway, the extra bit in the middle.

Bingley

yes the survey-- and as stated-- not really much new in it.. but still, the whole was wll presented.. about the only fact they left out was the curious fact about US money-- when analysed at a lab, all (100%) US money is contaminated by cocaine-- the larger the denomination the bill, the higher the level of contamination...

was the curious fact about US money-- when analysed at a lab, all (100%) US money is contaminated by cocaine-- the larger the denomination the bill, the higher the level of contamination...

God, and here I've been over the past two months spending the stuff rather than swallowing it. Probably just as well I'm leaving tomorrow!

well if i am not mistaken, cocaine can be absorbed right through the skin-- so part of your enjoyment of the US has been through osmosis--
just handling US money-- getting the money into your sweaty hands--
and are on a trip in more way than one!

some months ago-- there was a thread about ATM's an POP's (point of purchase? ) machines.. and everyone marveled that we still use real cash money in US..

was the curious fact about US money-- when analysed at a lab, all (100%) US money is contaminated by cocaine-- the larger the denomination the bill, the higher the level of contamination...

Ye gods, why didn't I begin my catching-up with THIS category?? Just yesterday, I mailed my British friend's
13-year-old son three different denominations of bills!
He may get more of a thrill than I planned...


Oh yes [shaking head to clear it e]--welcome, pox.