amuk

In Malay, amuk describes a murderous frenzy — a person who suddenly attacks everyone around them in a homicidal rage. Portuguese colonizers in the 16th century witnessed this phenomenon and borrowed the word, which spread to English.

The Malay amuk was originally understood as a culturally specific syndrome: a man who had lost honor or suffered unbearable shame might 'run amok,' attacking indiscriminately before being killed or captured. It was a form of social death by violence.

Western psychology initially classified 'amok' as a culture-bound syndrome specific to Malaysia. But the 20th century brought mass shootings to the West, and the term broadened. Now 'running amok' simply means losing control violently — the cultural specificity erased.

The phrase 'run amok' has weakened further: politicians run amok, algorithms run amok, children run amok at parties. The homicidal rage became a metaphor for any loss of control.