The term “cold pill” refers to any sedative or anti-anxiety drug that can calm or numb emotions. It is often suggested to people who become overwhelmed by stress or anxiety and exhibit irrational behavior. The concept originated in the 1950s and 1960s with the rise of prescribed sedatives and tranquilizers. Today, it is a popular expression used in comedy and everyday life to suggest taking a break or calming down.
During times of stress or anxiety, some people can become overwhelmed by their emotions and become extremely agitated or nervous or moody. This irrational behavior often takes on a life of its own, causing others to worry about a person’s ability to cope with their circumstances. At a time like this, a concerned passerby may suggest that he take a cold pill and relax. A cold pill is a generic reference to any sedative or anti-anxiety drug that has a calming or emotionally numbing effect on the recipient.
Many people are asked to take a cold pill after making irrational demands of others or making an emotionally charged outburst that is not commensurate with the situation at hand. An employer who scolds an employee for a minor problem might need to take a cold pill, for example. An anxious parent who issues numerous rules and regulations to a teenage driver may also be asked to take a cold pill. Taking an actual sedative or a five-minute break could help someone regain perspective in a stressful situation.
There are a number of prescription drugs that would qualify as a “cold pill,” although the expression could easily apply to a fictional form of sedation that promises immediate results. The suggestion, or in some cases the imperative, to take a cold pill is usually intended to bring the irrational or overly emotional person to his senses. Once a person becomes overly emotional or wound tightly during an argument, meaningful dialogue can become problematic.
The modern concept of a cold pill can trace its roots back to the 1950s and 1960s, when prescribed sedatives and tranquilizers such as Valium became more common. The Rolling Stones’ song “Mother’s Little Helper,” for example, referred to a sedative prescribed by a number of housewives to cope with their demanding suburban lifestyles. The idea of taking strong sedatives or anti-anxiety medications to “chill out” or relax became very popular in the 1970s, and by the 1980s, many people were taking regular antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to combat stress.
The expression take a cold pill has been a popular expression for several decades and has been used as a comedic catchphrase over the years. On the comedy series Saturday Night Live, for example, comedian Dana Carvey’s Asian pet shop owner character routinely advised her flustered customers to take a cold pill after telling them why chickens made such lousy pets. Modern sitcoms often include scenes where an overly anxious parent or boss is told to take a relaxation pill, relax, or just relax.
Considering the stresses and pressures that often accompany everyday life, the suggestion of taking a cold pill might not be a bad idea once in a while.
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