long tail

British  

noun

1. commerce the segment of a market representing the large number of products that sell in small quantities, considered by some to be of greater financial value than the few products that sell in very large quantities

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Etymology

Origin of long tail

C21: from the appearance of typical sales patterns on a graph

Example Sentences

But its long tail also shows that once the Pandora’s box of conspiracy has been opened, it has the power to destroy lives.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Edward created a long tail of ignominy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wagging his long tail, he ran over and started barking and growling at the flouncing monkeys.

From Literature

His long tail was fanning the air, and he was whimpering and inching along on the ground, one foot at a time.

From Literature

Bain described a “K-shaped” market in private equity, with “elite funds” continuing to perform well while the long tail of other funds “muddles through.”

From The Wall Street Journal