I may be sick over spring break, but that's not keeping me from writing up fake Wikipedia articles.


"In medieval Europe, charismatic, itinerant preachers travelled between cities, delivering fire and brimstone sermons at religious revivals. Spectators would congregate from miles around to hear these rousing speakers, working themselves into frenzies. Wealthier listeners had the opportunity to find seating in wooden grandstands, but landless peasants had to stand during the entire spectacle, frequently for hours on end, and often fainted with rapture when "moved by the Holy Spirit." Because the audience was so densely packed, there was no way to carry anybody out through the chaotic mob, so bystanders would lift the ecstatic worshipper over their heads and pass him on to others standing nearby, without the person ever touching the ground. In time, this practice became known as 'serf-crowding.'"