pick-me-up
UK[ˈpɪk mi ʌp]US[ˈpɪk mi ʌp]
n
a drink or something to eat that makes you feel more energetic and cheerful
n
something that makes you feel better when you are sad or tired
Etymology
The term 'pick-me-up' is a vivid example of a vernacular English compound, originating in the mid-19th century. It is formed by lexicalizing the complete imperative phrase "pick me up," where 'pick up' means to lift or improve, and 'me' is the object. The literal sense of physically lifting someone was metaphorically extended to describe a substance, originally a tonic or alcoholic beverage, that lifts one's spirits or energy. This transformation from a verbal command into a fixed nominal compound illustrates how colloquial speech dynamically creates new vocabulary to fill semantic needs, capturing the concept of a restorative agent in a personally direct and evocative manner.
Analysis
This is a phrasal compound noun formed from the complete English verb phrase "pick me up." It is not segmentable into classical morphemes without losing its idiomatic meaning.
Examples
After the long meeting, I needed a cup of coffee as a quick pick-me-up.
She considers a walk in the park to be the best psychological pick-me-up.
The comedian's joke was a real pick-me-up for the gloomy audience.