Derived from the Greek time period for “insanity,” the phrase signifies a fleeting however intense enthusiasm for a selected exercise, object, or vogue. Manifestations vary from transient fads like pet rocks and hula hoops to extra impactful societal fixations. For example, the Dutch tulip mania of the seventeenth century, pushed by speculative buying and selling, exemplifies the possibly damaging financial penalties.
Understanding the etymology of this time period gives a useful lens via which to research such phenomena. It highlights the irrational exuberance usually related to these intervals of intense fascination, the place judgment will be clouded and societal norms quickly overturned. Inspecting the historic context of such episodes provides essential insights for figuring out potential dangers and mitigating their impression.