Pipe dream

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For other uses, see Pipe Dream.

A pipe dream is a fantastic hope that is generally regarded as being nearly impossible. The term derives from the visions or delusions induced from smoking an opium pipe ^[1], which was popular in Britain and America during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Some sources claim the term derives from the mescaline pipe ^{[citation needed]}.

The realization of a pipe dream usually requires an unlikely succession of events or a complete reform in the dreamer's behavior. Misconceptions, obstacles unseen by the pipe dreamer, or simple ignorance of any issues involved are often disregarded. Also pipe dream is alluded to by the fantasies (a rather comical, yet popular, example of this is a banana hallucination which regularly gives the opium smoker bad advice) induced by smoking an opium pipe, but this term has been used more loosely since the 1800s.

The Oxford English Dictionary documents the first known written usage from 1890:

It [sc. aerial navigation] has been regarded as a pipe-dream for a good many years.

— Chicago Daily Tribune 11 Dec. II. 9/3

Interestingly, two American movies, "The Wild Bunch" and "Down Periscope" are often called "Pipe Dreams" in many other countries, particularly in the Middle East.

Much of the play The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O'Neill involves the pipe dreams of a group of barflies in the early 19th century. O'Neill uses the phrase throughout this work. He also uses opium smoking slang (e.g. hop) of the time period and includes a perjorative impersonation of a chinese opium den manager.

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