It's still in common usage, but it is a somewhat older saying and has fallen out in some circles. Some people call it "being/keeping real" or "solid".

On three separate notes, laughed my ass off at that zinger of "social circle of a brig" line ("brig" is a classical word for A) a small, frequently cramped type of sailing ship and B) a prison, and the word was used for both for good reason).

You're talking to a man willingly getting married, Hawkins, you'd have better luck making headway against the fucking Bermuda Triangle :)

Also, that musing in the last part... I've had at least one good, healthy relationship with a friend I've ruined because of careless words in the heat of the moment. That cut hard for me. Here's hoping they can at least make up.