PIPE DREAMING Meaning and
Definition
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Pipe dreaming refers to indulging in unrealistic, impractical, or unlikely aspirations or fantasies. The term originated from the image of someone leaning against a pipe and daydreaming, suggesting a detached and idle fantasizing. It implies that the individual is engaged in wishful thinking or constructing elaborate scenarios that have little chance of materializing. Pipe dreaming often involves envisioning grandiose or unreachable goals that lack practicality or feasibility.
This idiom is commonly used to dismiss or criticize someone's extravagant or far-fetched ideas. It suggests that the person is detached from reality and not grounded in practical considerations. Pipe dreaming may also convey a sense of wasting time or neglecting more important or feasible endeavors by fixating on unrealistic ambitions.
The phrase can be employed in various contexts, including personal aspirations, professional goals, or even societal ideals. It emphasizes a disconnect between ambition and reality, highlighting the need for grounded and pragmatic thinking. The term also implies a sense of escapism or a retreat into a world of imagination rather than confronting the challenges and limitations of the real world.
Overall, pipe dreaming encapsulates the notion of indulging in fanciful, impractical imaginings that are often unconstrained by practicality or feasibility, serving as a reminder to stay grounded and focus on more attainable objectives.
Common Misspellings for PIPE DREAMING
Etymology of PIPE DREAMING
The term "pipe dreaming" originally emerged in the early 20th century, mainly in American English, and its etymology can be traced back to two separate sources.
Firstly, the word "pipe" in "pipe dreaming" refers to a tobacco pipe. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, smoking tobacco from a pipe was a common practice. Smoking a pipe often induced a sense of relaxation and contemplation, and it was during these moments that people would often daydream or engage in fanciful thinking. Therefore, "pipe dreaming" implied the act of indulging in idle, unrealistic, or fanciful thoughts, similar to how one might do while smoking a pipe.
The second source can be found in the phrase "to smoke a pipe dream", which was used in the same time period.
