The word "paracosm" refers to detailed, made-up  worlds that are usually created by kids or  

teenagers. Many times, these make-believe worlds  can continue to grow and develop even when the  

creators become adults, showing how powerful their  imagination can be. The term "paracosm" comes from  

two Greek words: "para," which means alongside or  beyond, and "cosm," which means world or universe.  

So, a paracosm is like a whole other universe  that exists side by side with our real world,  

but it's made up entirely in someone's  imagination. Consequently, a paracosm  

characterizes an immersive, alternate universe  that exists beyond the bounds of our known world. 

The term "paracosm" was first introduced by  Ben Vincent, a self-proclaimed paracosmist.  

Vincent's work builds upon earlier research  by Robert Silvey, a researcher for the BBC.