Historical relevance: The term “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) originated in the early 2000s, coined by marketing strategist Dan Herman in a 2000 research paper and later popularized by Patrick J. McGinnis in a 2004 article in The Harbus, the Harvard Business School’s magazine. The concept describes the anxiety people feel when they think others are having more rewarding experiences than they are.

The term gained traction on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram around 2010, evolving into a meme that humorously captures people’s fear of missing out on social events, experiences, or investments. In the financial world, particularly with the rise of crypto and meme stocks, FOMO has come to symbolize impulsive, fear-driven buying behavior, often leading to overvaluation and market bubbles.