Name Your Poison Day

Name Your Poison Day on June 8th is a chance to offer you a few options and challenges you to choose.

While “name your poison” is a phrase used to describe the beverage of your choice, it also refers to the least bad decision making. There are many instances in life when we have to choose the lesser of two or more evils. Name Your Poison Day celebrates our ability to choose the 'poison' or make the least harmful decision of all the options available.

History of Name Your Poison Day

The word 'poison' has been used as a slang term for alcoholic beverages since the mid-19th century. It may come from the Latin root 'toxum' (poison) of the word 'intoxication.' It can also imply the negative effects of drinking too much alcohol. This is birthplace of some phrases like name your poison; choose your poison, and what is your poison…

The mid-1800s also saw mountaineers in central Austria form the habit of taking arsenic preparations once or twice per week as a general tonic or stimulant. They are known as "arsenic eaters". Some of them are even famous for having a high tolerance in case their enemies try to poison them.

The March 24, 1864, edition of the "Daily National Republican" newspaper in Washington, D.C., reported that the phrase, "Nominate your poison, gentlemen," was the latest way to ask people what do men want to drink? The story was published in newspapers across America, and by 1867 many writers were using the colloquial term.

While the phrase “nominate your poison” goes back to the early days of the moderate movement, it mostly refers to the act of ordering drinks. In 1914, when the mayor of Ohio passed a law requiring all drinkers to obtain a drinking permit, the phrase became much more popular.

The alternative meaning of the phrase, 'make the least bad choice', has become more common lately. The most probable reason for this is that it not only limits the phrase to drinkers but can also be used in other contexts. Why? Because it sounds appealing, right?

Interesting truths about National Name Your Poison Day

• Cyanide is a known poison. What many of us don't know, however, is that many food crops contain compounds that, when metabolized, convert to cyanide. And the list includes sugar, soybeans, corn, wheat, rice, and more.
• Many seeds and pits of fruit, such as those of apples, contain cyanide.
• Nicotine is also known as a defensive poison, not only found in cigarettes. But you'll find them in eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, and more. in less quantity.
• The poison of the puffer fish can paralyze a person for almost 4-20 hours and will take at least a week to recover if used in non-lethal doses. It can be said that the story of Snow White is not completely untrue.
• There are toxins that when used in small doses can increase your immunity to them. This would be the case with poisons from plants or snakes.
• The witches mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth are brewing a vial of poison, whose inhalation can easily induce a hypnotic-like state.
• Poison has been used by humans for thousands of years for hunting and warfare. You will find historical evidence that arrows and spears were attached to poisonous plants. History also records that clay pots with the venom of scorpions and snakes were thrown at enemies by the Romans during the war.
• There are a number of poisons that are used medicinally for their inherent ability to cure certain diseases. For example, the Gila monsters saliva can lower blood sugar, while the viper's venom can lower blood pressure.
• Solenodon, a venomous mammal, dating back more than 70 million years, still exists in several Caribbean islands and its bite is extremely poisonous.
• Poison dart frogs have poisonous skin due to the presence of batrachotoxin, which they do not produce.

How to celebrate Name Your Poison Day

• Immerse yourself in all things 'Poison'

A good way to celebrate Name Your Poison Day is by listening to 80s metal band Poison. You can also watch some movies such as “Poison”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”… You can also read books about the origin of alcohol.

• Have a drink

Go to the bar and "choose your poison." Or you can also give up your diet for the day, go to a restaurant and order your favorite cheat meal.

• Enjoy it with family and friends

Invite your family and friends to enjoy your favorite ‘poisons’ together. After all, we should all have a drink with those closest to us.