Tracing its etymology back to the 1600s, “Up in Smoke” originally described the ephemeral nature of smoke, symbolizing something that disappears or is destroyed. This evocative phrase has since evolved, capturing the essence of dashed hopes or failed endeavors. In the cannabis lexicon, “Up in Smoke” has taken on a more literal meaning, referring to the act of smoking cannabis. The term gained cultural prominence in the late 20th century, largely due to the iconic 1978 film “Up in Smoke” by Cheech and Chong, which humorously depicted the cannabis lifestyle. Today, “Up in Smoke” is synonymous with the act of enjoying cannabis, embodying the laid-back and liberating spirit of the cannabis community. As the cannabis industry continues to grow and innovate, “Up in Smoke” remains a cherished expression, reflecting both the historical roots and contemporary culture of cannabis use. This term is a testament to the enduring influence of cannabis in popular culture and its evolving role in society. [Source: Etymonline, Britannica]
Up in Smoke (also referred to as Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke) is a 1978 American buddy stoner comedy film directed by Lou Adler in his directorial debut and starring Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Tom Skerritt, Edie Adams, Strother Martin, and Stacy Keach. It is Cheech & Chong's film debut.
| Up in Smoke | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Lou Adler |
| Written by | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Gene Polito |
| Edited by | Scott Conrad |
| Music by | |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million |
| Box office | $104 million |
Cheech & Chong had been a counterculture comedy team for about ten years before they started reworking some of their material for their first film. Most of the film was shot in Los Angeles, California, including scenes set in Tijuana, while scenes set on the Mexican border were actually filmed at the border in Yuma, Arizona.
While negatively received upon its release, Up in Smoke grossed over $104 million, is credited with establishing the stoner film genre, and is now considered a cult classic. In 2024, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
English
Pronunciation
Verb
go up in smoke (third-person singular simple present goes up in smoke, present participle going up in smoke, simple past went up in smoke, past participle gone up in smoke)
- To catch fire and burn.
- Synonyms: go up in flames; see also Thesaurus:combust
- (idiomatic, by extension) To be completely ruined, devastated, or reduced to nothingness.
- Synonyms: burn down, burn up, come to nothing, end in smoke