What does Ponyboy mean when he says the Socs were "reeling pickled"?

Ponyboy is talking about the Socs surrounding himself and Johnny in a park. In the slang of the day, "pickled" means drunk—so these Socs are wasted to the point of "reeling," or not being able to walk properly. As they march angrily around them, they stumble because of their heavy intoxication.
The Socs are angry with the boys for "picking up" their girls, or taking them out on something of a date, and because they are so intoxicated, they are willing to get violent and confront Ponyboy and Johnny about it. They attempt to fight and potentially kill Johnny and Ponyboy, but Johnny and Ponyboy manage to extricate themselves from the situation when Johnny stabs one of the Socs.


In Chapter 4, Ponyboy and Johnny are relaxing in a nearby park when a blue Mustang begins to circle the park slowly. Ponyboy begins to worry, and Johnny says the Socs were probably upset at them for picking up their girls. Five Socs then exit the vehicle and begin to walk towards Johnny and Pony. Ponyboy says the Socs were staggering, and he figured they were "reeling pickled." Reeling is defined as losing one's balance, and "pickled" is slang for extremely intoxicated. Ponyboy recognizes the Socs are drunk, which is why they stagger towards them. Ponyboy and Johnny are outnumbered by a gang of drunk Socs who are looking for trouble. Unfortunately, the Socs attempt to drown Ponyboy in the park's fountain, but Johnny saves his life by stabbing Bob Sheldon.

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