A fringe theory is neither a majority opinion nor that of a respected minority.[1][2] The term in general is closer to the popular understanding of the word theory—a hypothesis, guess, or uncertain idea—than to the concept of an established scientific theory.[2] Although the term is often used within the context of fringe science, fringe theories have been discussed in diverse areas of scholarship, including Biblical criticism,[3] history,[4][5] finance,[7] law,[6] medicine,[7][10] and politics.[11] They even exist in fields of study which are themselves outside the mainstream, such as cryptozoology[12] and parapsychology.[8]