Let ’s dive into a term that describes something wildly imaginative but , well , a bit unrealistic : apipe dream . If you ’ve ever had an idea that feels awful but probably is n’t going to happen , you ’ve had a organ pipe dream . But where does this expression fall from , and what does it mean ?
" Pipe pipe dream " conjures images oflofty fantasiesthat are out of reach . But there ’s a deeper story here , one that goes back to a very different sort of organ pipe than what ’s commonplace today .
Here , we ’ll moil into the meaning , origins and uses of this fascinating set phrase to understand why it resonates with us — specially when we ’re daydream large , albeit a small too far from what ’s naturalistic .
‘Just a Pipe Dream’ Meaning
A pipe dream is a hope , idea or program that ’s unrealistic or unlikely to happen . Imagine a fancy that fathom amazing in theory but has very little chance of coming true .
When someone concern to an mind as " just a pipe dream , " they ’re suggesting that it ’s moreabout wishful thinkingthan an achievable goal . In other words , it ’s a dream that ’s fun to think about but does n’t stand up to scrutiny .
The substance of a pipe ambition often suggests a separation between phantasy and reality . Many people sleep together entertaining these idea ; after all , who has n’t enjoy a bit of daydream about something wildly ambitious ?
But without virtual steps or solid programme , tube dreams tend to stay in the imagination , like beautiful idea just out of compass .
Origins of the Phrase
The descent of " tobacco pipe dream " has a surprising tie to opium , asubstance historically smokedin specific types of pipes . In the 19th 100 , opium was commonly used in Europe and the Americas .
While smoke an opium pipe , people could experience vivid , otherworldly hallucinations , often occupy with sinful fantasies . They feel real in the moment , but once the upshot faded , the august sight dissolved , leaving only the real humans behind .
This connection to opium use gave raise to the condition " pipe dream . " People began hollo too ambitious or unrealistic ideas " tobacco pipe dream " because , like those visions brought on by the opium piping , they were disconnected from what could actually happen .
The idiom bewilder , and over clip , it germinate to entrance a signified of pensive dreaming : an estimation that may vocalise appealing in theory but is n’t anchor in what ’s possible .
3 Examples of ‘Pipe Dream’ in Everyday Conversation
" Pipe dream " is one of those phrase that establish up whenever multitude babble out about big ideas that might be fun but are ultimately airy . Here are some room you might listen it in everyday conversation .
In each of these case , the phrase captures the merriment , promising side of imagining a dissimilar reality — even if we know , deep down , that the phantasy might stay just that .
So , next prison term you catch yourself stargaze big , remember that while it might be just a organ pipe dream , the joy of imagining can be just as satisfying as reaching the end itself ! .
We create this article in coincidence with AI technology , then made trusted it was fact - checked and edit by a HowStuffWorks editor program .
