Sudden widespread enthusiasms or popular fashions that people follow intensely but often briefly; or the plural of craze.
From 'craze,' which may derive from Middle Dutch 'crasen' or Old Norse 'krasa' meaning to break or shatter. The meaning shifted from physical breaking to describe sudden breaks in normal behavior or fashion.
Every generation thinks its crazes are unique—fidget spinners, TikTok dances, Beanie Babies—but the psychology of temporary mass obsession is ancient, showing how humans are hardwired to follow trends as a group.
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