A morale booster

Origin

The term "morale" journeyed into English from the French "moral," describing character or spirit. When this met the verb "boost," an Americanism that took off in the 19th century, meaning to lift or push something upwards, the stage was set. "To boost" found its way into common parlance, often referring to a lift in status, price, or—critically—spirit. A "morale booster" perfectly captured the essence of anything that literally elevates the collective spirit and confidence of a group, whether it was a small victory for a beleaguered army regiment or a rousing speech to a flagging industrial workforce. The phrase became a vibrant, direct way to describe that vital injection of positive energy.