Snowball effect

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Snowball effect is a figurative term for a process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger (graver, more serious), and perhaps potentially dangerous or disastrous (a vicious circle, a "spiral of decline"), though it might be beneficial instead (a virtuous circle).

The common analogy is with the rolling of a small ball of snow down a snow-covered hillside, as it rolls the ball will pick up more snow, gaining more mass and surface area, and picking up even more snow as it rolls along. This is a very common cliché in cartoons.

[edit] See also

• Domino effect
• Positive feedback
• Self-fulfilling prophecy
• Slippery slope
• Snowball Earth
• Katamari Damacy, a game based on the snowball effect
• Wealth condensation