I, too, become nasty and vindictive when I've knocked back a few too many, not to mention entrenched in my opinions and agitated by any contradiction to said opinions. (I also carry a dictionary to thrust at my generally less educated listeners.) Needless to say I'm a big hit at parties for my intransigent views and personal attacks, interspersed with witticisms and literary quotes (you know those are sailing over their heads!).