snowball effect
(adj.) descriptive of an entity or situation where something once small and relatively insignificant grows exponentially at a swift pace, engulfing everything in its path. A more dramatic progression than the classic domino effect. The basic workings of a literal snowball effect can be illustrated by taking one's average baseball-sized snowball and dropping it down the side of a snowy hill. As it descends it gathers more snow and whatever leaves, sticks, etc. are in its way. The snowball accumulates not only size, but speed.
When Mortal Combat was first released, there were numerous instances of fans going to largely populated areas, like college campuses and shopping malls, and yelling "MORTAL COMBAT!!!" at the top of their lungs. Others withing earshot who understood this cry would do the same. Depending on just how many in the know heard and participated, created an amazing, echoing snowball effect.
snowball effect by fugitive247 December 16, 2004
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