Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.
Would you help me understand the following paragraph?

Mark Phillips" is, or are, two writers: Randall Garrett and Laurence M. Janifer. Their joint pen-name, derived from their middle names (Philip and Mark), was coined soon after their original meeting, at a science-fiction convention. Both men were drunk at the time, which explains a good deal, and only one has ever sobered up.

The part I don't understand is "...which explains a good deal". The fact that they were both drunk explains a good deal of ... what? I feel the writing is humorous, but I don't get the point. I appreciate your help very much.

[redset]

In this case the phrase 'a good deal' means 'a large amount' or 'a lot'. We say 'that explains a lot' when we want to imply it's the reason for certain things, and not actually say what those things are:
"I was out until 2 a.m. last night!"
'Oh, that explains a lot.' ('You look tired, you were late this morning, your clothes are a mess etc.)

It can be used in a sarcastic, reproving way, or just to say that with this information other things make sense, without going into detail about what those things are.

When people are drunk they often act silly, joke around and do strange things, so the fact that they were drunk when they met explains a lot about the name they chose.

Honestly though, I don't see anything silly or crazy about that name, so I don't think being drunk 'explains' it. Maybe the writing they've produced is silly or crazy or strange, but the text does say they were drunk at the time they came up with their name, so I assume that's all the author is talking about.

[imchongjun]

Wow, thank you so much for your detailed explanation. That's what I wanted to know. Thanks a ton!!!