The pause that refreshes.

“The pause that refreshes” originated not as an anonymous proverb but as an early 20th‑century advertising slogan for Coca‑Cola. It was coined by the company’s advertising agency (commonly credited to D’Arcy Advertising) and used in national print advertising to associate Coca‑Cola with a brief restorative break in the workday. The phrase became widely recognizable through repeated campaign use and then entered general speech as a shorthand for any short, refreshing respite—sometimes even used humorously to mean a cigarette break or a quick rest. Its later “anonymous” attribution reflects how thoroughly the slogan detached from its commercial origin in popular memory.

The line compresses a whole philosophy of modern pace and recovery into a neat paradox: a “pause” is defined not by inactivity but by its effect—renewal. It implies that refreshment can be achieved quickly and routinely, fitting the rhythms of industrial and office life where extended leisure is scarce. As an advertising phrase, it also subtly equates a consumer product with restoration itself, suggesting that well-being can be purchased and standardized. In broader usage, the slogan endures because it names a universal experience: stepping away briefly can reset attention, mood, and energy, making the return to activity feel newly possible.

“The pause that refreshes.”
“Thirst knows no season—The pause that refreshes.”
“Drink Coca‑Cola—The pause that refreshes.”