Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. drunk; also fig. use.

1821		‘An Amateur’ Real Life in London I 230: A Charley about three parts sprung, and who appeared to have more light in his head than he could shew from his lantern.
1833		A. Greene Life and Adventures of Dr Dodimus Duckworth II 176: He was seldom downright drunk; but was often [...] all-firedly sprung.
1862		N. Devon Jrnl 29 May 5/1: Charles hancock [...] described the prisoner’s state as a ‘little sprung,’ ‘half-slewed,’ etc.
1876		H.E. Malet Annals of the Road 151: Jack, who was half sprung at the time, went in pursuit of him.
1880		R. Rowe Picked Up in the Streets 17: When they see a sailor a bit sprung coming along, one of them puts out his foot, and when the spooney chap stumbles, the tother [...] grabs his watch.
1890		‘Rolf Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer III 165: I gammoned to be a bit ‘sprung’.
1900		Ade More Fables in Sl. (1960) 179: Letting a Merchant know that his Business Partner had been seen slightly Sprung at a Picnic.
1905		Sporting Times 8 Apr. 2/4: But for the fact that I contrived to get comfortably sprung before retiring, I might have spent that night racked by the exquisitive torments of joy and vanity.
1914		Bulletin (Sydney) 22 Oct. 30/3: To the average Britisher – old or young – / Whether he’s sober or whether he’s ‘sprung’ – / The resources of language go bung / With a word like that!
1922		Joyce Ulysses 405: Crickey, I’m about sprung. [Ibid.] 560: Simon Dedalus’ son. A bit sprung.
1931		New Call (Perth, WA) 24 Dec. 5/3: ‘It’s no laughing matter,’ said Bill, who was now ‘well sprung’.
1933		‘William Juniper’ True Drunkard’s Delight 224: It is said that he is [...] cup-sprung [note: Usually abbreviated to sprung].
1997		Bug (Aus.) 1 Oct. 🌐 You’d [...] drink in the pub on Friday nights till the wife or girlfriend – or when totally sprung, both – would drag you out.

2. of the mind, unstable [later use US gang].

1878		H.B. Stowe Poganuc People 246: The old man’s awful cranky to-day. Reely seems as if he was a little bit sprung. I don’t know but he’s going crazy!
1991		L. Bing Do or Die (1992) 126: ‘Normal means like regular.’ ‘That’s right. And “sprung”?’ He points to another kid. ‘It means nutty.’.
2002		‘Touré’ Portable Promised Land (ms.) 161: We Words (My Favorite Things) [...] Crimey. Irie. Sprung.

3. (US teen, also sprung on) sexually obsessed, romantically besotted.

1989		P. Munro Sl. U. 33: Lisa is so sprung on Mark.
1990		(con. early 1950s) J. Ellroy L.A. Confidential 99: Dot got the little twist sprung.
1995		A. Heckerling Clueless [film script] elton: I knew it, I knew it. (Elton makes a pass at Cher.) cher: Oooh, you knew what?! elton That you were totally sprung on me.
2002		Teen Lingo: The Source for Youth Ministry 🌐 sprung adj. To be obsessed with, usually in an amorous fashion. ‘Vanessa’s so sprung on Todd, he’s all she talks about.’.
2013		K. Koke ‘Fire in the Booth’ 🎵 Rah she really got me sprung / She got me cooking beef and you know she's having some.

4. (US black teen) having an erection [one’s penis springs up].

1992–

Atoon & Janssen Rap Dict. 🌐 sprung 1) (adj) Erected.