<P> The phrase derives from the November 1978 Jonestown deaths in which over 900 members of the Peoples Temple died by drinking a powdered drink mix laced with cyanide . Most voluntarily committed suicide while the rest were killed by forced ingestion of the poison . The powdered drink mix used might not have been Kool - Aid but could have been the competing brand Flavor Aid . However this is disputed as the commune had both among thier supplies . </P>
where does the term drinking the kool aid come from
from the November 1978 Jonestown deaths