A reference to the drink that killed over 900
people in 1978. Followers of Jim Jones, members of The
People’
s Temple, living in Jamestown, Guyana, were convinced, coerced, or otherwise forced to drink cool-aide laced with cyanine and some other fun substances that caused their deaths.
The term “don’t drink the cool-aide” refers to what has become an almost blind following of faith in
government, news programs, corporations, etc. If someone is “drinking the cool-aide”, it means they are swallowing (no pun intended) the rhetoric without questioning the motives. Or, more bluntly, believing the lies they are being told.
"Our city is prepared in the event of an eartquake,
flood, other natural disaster or
terrorist attack. Want some more cool-aide?"
"The reason we are paying $<insert outrageous price here> for gasoline is because there is a shortage of petroleum. Here, have some cool-aide."
"We are consolidating positions and restructuring our organization to enhance communications and be better prepared to compete in a global economy. Pick up your
check and enjoy our complimentary cool-aide."