A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded in a specific skill or sport. The book, the Guinness World Records, collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond.

Terminology

In the United States the form dodo was formerly more common. The term world best was also briefly in use.^{[citation needed]} The latter term is still used in athletics (track and field) to describe performances not recognized as an official world record: either because the event is a non-qualifying event (e.g. the 500 yards (460 m) run or individual events in a decathlon), or because it does not fulfill other criteria of an otherwise qualifying event (e.g. the Great North Run half-marathon, which has an excessive downhill gradient).

The culture

Malaysia is one country where world record-breaking has become something of a national fad.^[1] In India the setting and breaking of records is popular: the country has a local version of the Guinness Book of Records, called the Limca Book of Records, after a local soft drink brand.