Have you ever really wanted a toy, just because everyone else had one? Accessories, fashion, food—anything could be a fad if enough people think it's cool.
A fad is a form of collective behaviour. People get very excited about something, but only for a short period of time. The word origin is unknown, but some think it comes from "fiddle-faddle," which means foolishness or nonsense.
According to an NPR article, fads are often powered by the desire to fit in. Research has found that a fad only gets started with a boost from key influencers. It can grow if at least 15 per cent of people in a group get on board the trend.
Every generation has its own share of fads. Bedazzled denim jackets. Collectible dolls. Fidget spinners. Sometimes fads get revived for nostalgic reasons. Other times the fads are left in the dustbin of history (and unfortunate photos). Ask your parents and teachers what fads they remember from when they were kids!
So the next time you see something really cool, just remember that five years later that really cool thing might not be cool anymore. In fact, with the speed of things in the internet age, it might not be cool five days later...