quaalude
See quaalude in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(kwāˈlo͞odˌ)
A trademark used for the drug methaqualone.
Word History: The trademark
Quaalude for the sedative and hypnotic agent methaqualone is an example of how a product name is carefully chosen for a positive public response. Methaqualone was developed in the 1960s by William H. Rorer, Inc. At that time, the company's best-known product was Maalox, a digestive aid that derived its name from its ingredients,
magnesium and
aluminum hydr
oxides. To enhance the product recognition of their new sedative drug, the company incorporated the
aa of
Maalox into the name
Quaalude. The other elements of the name are presumed to be a contraction of the phrase
quiet interlude, a soothing, even poetic description of the drug's effect.
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