The Origin of “What’s Your Poison?”

Have you ever heard someone offer you a drink and inquire, “What’s your poison?” It has become customary to ask someone what kind of alcoholic beverage they enjoy using this phrase. But from where did it originate?

In the middle of the 19th century, when using poison as a murder weapon was prevalent, the expression “What’s your poison?” first appeared. Poison was simple to obtain, hard to detect, and could be given in a number of ways. Therefore, those who wanted to harm other people frequently used it.

Pubs and taverns were common settings for socializing and drinking throughout the 1800s. However, a lot of these places were also frequented by miscreants and criminals. In a playful homage to the peril and mystery surrounding the use of poison at the time, bartenders and servers would frequently inquire about the drinks that customers would want to order by asking, “What’s your poison?”

Regarding this, each person may have a different response to the question “What’s your poison?” While some would favor a beer or wine, others might favor a classic drink like a martini or an old-fashioned. Everything is up to personal preference.

The following questions are connected to this one: “What name means broken?” “Kintsugi” is a name that signifies broken. The name is Japanese and means “golden repair.” It refers to the craft of lacquering damaged pottery in gold or silver to restore its beauty rather than cover up its defects. The question “What name means blood?” Hematite is a word that signifies “blood.” It is a mineral that frequently has a reddish-brown or black tint and resembles dried blood in appearance. Hematite was once used to halt bleeding and was thought to have therapeutic powers. The last question is, “What name means dark?” “Raven” is the name that signifies “dark.” The bird itself is frequently regarded in various cultures as a symbol of death and darkness, and it is frequently related to the color black. The raven, however, is seen as a sign of insight and wisdom in several civilizations.

In conclusion, despite its sinister beginnings, the question “What’s your poison?” has become a widely used and humorous approach to inquire about someone’s preferred beverage. Even though the names Kintsugi, Hematite, and Raven have a bad reputation, they also stand for wisdom, beauty, and healing in different ways.