Word: craze
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...things they like to do, the suggestions they offer are normally uninteresting. More than anything else, Americans like to eat--which is second only to sleeping in its boredom value. A small minority like to exercise, but the jogging fad of the 1980s was quickly displaced by the walking craze (since exerting yourself too much isn't good...
...merger-and-acquisition craze of the past decade also led to imprudent cost cutting. The elimination of relief crews, forced overtime and deferred (meaning neglected) maintenance have resulted in tired workers and worn equipment -- a deadly combination. There are further dangers in industries like oil and petrochemicals, where subcontracting has become a common money- saving move. Barely trained newcomers, many of them aliens with an imperfect grasp of English, are put at the controls of dangerous machinery, with predictable results. In Texas six major explosions at chemical plants and refineries have killed 47 workers in the past five years...
...while there, it looked as if this could be a summer with nary a craze in sight. But not for long. Suddenly this has become the summer of the Velcro paddle and ball...
...idea for the new toy is simple: put stick-to-itself Velcro on a sphere that is roughly the size of a tennis ball. Apply the same stuff to two mitt- size disks that have a strap across the back for a handhold. Presto! A craze known variously as Magic Mitts, Scatch, Katch-a-Roo and Super Grip Ball. On streets, playgrounds and at the beach, players have added their own fancy moves, twisting into pretzel shapes to make behind-the-back catches, or getting a grip on the ball while doing a high-kick. Another trick: strapping a mitt...
...Minnesota company that started the craze, Rollerblade, Inc., is concerned about the rising tally. This week it kicks off a nationwide "SkateSmart Month" to urge skaters to use protective equipment, learn proper use of the skates and obey road rules. Manhattan has set speed limits for bladers in Central Park, and Huntington Beach, Calif., has banned them from business districts. A smart move by retailers might be to tack a few dollars onto the tab for the pricey wheels (up to $350) and include an hour or two of well-padded lessons...