Tulip Mania
Preserved but no longer current.
A reckless mania for the pur- chase of tulip-bulbs that arose in Holland in the 17th century and was at its greatest height about 1634-1637. A root of the species called Viceroy sold for £250; Semper Augustus, more than double that sum. The mania spread all over Europe, and became a mere stock- jobbing speculation.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Tulip Mania” mean?
A reckless mania for the pur- chase of tulip-bulbs that arose in Holland in the 17th century and was at its greatest height about 1634-1637. A root of the species called Viceroy sold for £250; Semper Augustus, more than double that sum. The mania spread all over Europe, and became a mere stock- jobbing speculation.
Is “Tulip Mania” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.