This expression presents complications in describing its origin. A posting on funtrivia.com by zbeckabee, observes that the word “skunk” originates from an Algonquian Indian word meaning “urinating fox,” and that the term “drunk as a skunk is “…simply a good example of our love of comparisons and rhyming…” Wikianswers.com complicates the explanation, “Check with any moonshiner about pulling drowned skunks out of his corn mash and you’ll know where it came from.” I did Internet searches to learn about moonshiners and skunks, and only found a reference to Al Capp’s “Lil Abner.” Two characters of that cartoon strip brewed up their spirits in a hidden still called the “Skunk Works.” I admit that I haven’t found a solid answer on the origin of this expression, and would welcome input to: fdsmhobbs@aol.com.