Native to the UK?

Yes, I think it was coined by the late great Peter Cook in the satirical magazine Private Eye. Bless him



the ropes connection

I can’t speak for other areas, but in boating parlance around the south coast of England sheet has, throughout my experience, unequivocally meant the ropes with which the sails are adjusted. To have three sheets to the wind simply implies being out of control, and so characteristically weaving about all over the place as blown by each puff of wind.