- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- BeerDrinkingFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June 8
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥃
Name Your Poison Day arrives every June 8, inviting us to ponder our choices, whether it’s selecting a favorite beverage or navigating a difficult decision. This day celebrates our ability to weigh options and make the least harmful choice. Gather friends for a drink, reflect on past decisions, or simply enjoy a moment of mindful selection.
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History of Name Your Poison Day
The word ‘poison’ has been used as slang for alcoholic drinks since the mid-19th century. It may have come from the Latin root ‘toxicum’ (poison) of the word ‘intoxicate.’ It can also refer to the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. This is where phrases like “name your poison”, “pick your poison” and “what’s your poison?” came from.
The mid-1800s also saw mountaineers of central Austria form the habit of drinking arsenic preparations once or twice every week as a general tonic or stimulant. They came to be known as “arsenic eaters.” Some of them even developed the reputation of having built up a high tolerance in case their enemies tried to poison them.
The March 24, 1864, edition of the “Daily National Republican” newspaper in Washington, D.C., reported that the phrase, “Please nominate your poison, gentlemen,” was the latest way of asking what drink men would like to have. The story made its way to newspapers across America and, by 1867, many writers were using the colloquial term.
While the phrase “nominate your poison” goes back to the early temperance-movement days, it mostly refers to the action of placing an order for a drink. In 1914, when the mayor of Ohio passed the law requiring all those who drink to apply for drinking licenses, the phrase became a lot more popular.
The alternative meaning of the phrase, i.e. “making the least bad choice,” has more recently become popularized. The most probable reason for this is because it not only limits the phrase to drinkers but can be used in other contexts. Why? Because it sounds cool, right?
Name Your Poison Day timeline
The first definition of the cocktail appears: “Cock-tail is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters — it is vulgarly called bittered sling, and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, in as much as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head.”
Jerry Thomas publishes the “Bar-Tender’s Guide,” which is widely considered the first bartending guide.
The Prohibition Act (the 18th Amendment), which prohibits the manufacture and sale of alcohol, is ratified.
The song ‘Rum and Coca-Cola’ (reflecting the popularity of rum) by The Andrew Sisters tops the charts of U.S. Pop Singles and remains at the top for 10 weeks.
Name Your Poison Day FAQs
When is Name Your Poison Day?
Name Your Poison Day 2026 falls on Monday, June 8, making it a great start to the week for mindful choices and perhaps a favorite beverage.
What does 'Name Your Poison' actually mean?
The phrase ‘Name Your Poison’ primarily refers to choosing your preferred alcoholic drink, often in a playful or informal setting, implying selection from available options.
How often do people use idioms like 'Name Your Poison'?
Idioms are a common part of everyday language, with studies suggesting people use several idioms per minute in conversation, enriching communication and adding color to speech.
Where did the phrase 'Name Your Poison' originate?
The exact origin is murky, but it’s widely believed to have emerged from American saloons in the 19th century, with bartenders humorously asking patrons for their drink order.
How To Celebrate Name Your Poison Day
Indulge in all things ‘Poison’
A good way to celebrate National Name Your Poison Day is to listen to the ’80s metal band Poison. You can also watch movies like “Poison,” and “Arsenic and Old Lace.” You can also read books about the history of alcohol.
Have a drink
Go to the bar and “pick your poison.” Or you can also let go of your diet regime for the day, go to a restaurant, and order your favorite cheat meal (aka, your poison).
Enjoy it with family and friends
Invite your family and friends and drink your favorite ‘poisons’ together. We should all have a drink with our closest people from time to time, after all.
5 Facts About Poison That Will Blow Your Mind
Poison driver
In 1921, a chauffeur was the top-reported job in California for people named ‘Poison.’
Name your poison frog
The golden poison dart frog is the most poisonous frog in the world and one gram of its secretion can kill 1,000 adult humans.
A poisonous relief
Painkillers are the most common substances that poison adults above the age of 20.
Poison for dinner
Dinnertime is the most common time for childhood poisonings — to the extent that poison-control centers refer to dinnertime as “the arsenic hour.”
Poison overdose
In America, the majority of poisonings are caused due to drug overdose.
Why We Love Name Your Poison Day
A break out of our comfort zone
On National Name Your Poison Day, we step out of our comfort zones and celebrate what we want to drink and not what we should drink. We get to enjoy the diversity of drinks as we can “pick any poison of our choice” in celebration.
Spending time with friends
National Pick Your Poison Day brings the opportunity to raise a toast to our favorite “poisons” or drinks with our friends. It is a great way to break the routine and trying out a new bar or new drinks.
Celebrates bad decisions
We always celebrate when we find out that we made the right decision. National Pick Your Poison Day celebrates the bad decisions we have all made and the fact that we survived the consequences.
