Hopium

Hopium is a portmanteau of "hope" and "opium," used, often pejoratively, to describe an irrational or unfounded sense of optimism, particularly in situations where evidence suggests a negative outcome is more likely. It is the belief in a positive outcome despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The term implies a detachment from reality, suggesting that the individual is clinging to hope as a form of escapism, similar to the effects of an opiate.

The usage of "hopium" often carries a connotation of mockery or pity, implying that the person exhibiting it is deluded or engaging in wishful thinking. It can also be used self-deprecatingly.

While hope is generally viewed as a positive attribute, "hopium" suggests an unhealthy or excessive level of hope that is divorced from logical reasoning or realistic assessment of circumstances. The term suggests the hope is not based on legitimate possibilities, but rather on a desperate desire for a specific outcome, potentially leading to disappointment and poor decision-making. The user of "hopium" is thus portrayed as refusing to accept reality and instead embracing a comforting, albeit unrealistic, narrative.