Green’s Dictionary of Slang

barmecide n.

[SE Barmecide, ‘Patronymic of a family of princes ruling at Bagdad just before Haroun-al-Raschid, concerning one of whom the story is told in the Arabian Nights, that he put a succession of empty dishes before a beggar, pretending that they contained a sumptuous repast—a fiction which the beggar humorously accepted. Hence, one who offers imaginary food or illusory benefits’ (OED); thus the image of morphine-induced fantasies]

(US drugs) morphine; thus barmecided, addicted to or under the influence of morphine.

Show quotations
[US]J.E. Schmidt Narcotics Lingo and Lore.
[US]Hardy & Cull Drug Lang. and Lore.