shakespeareandshoes:

the word was inspired by this here article, in the NYTimes 

maelstrom [meyl-struhm] noun

1. a large, powerful, or violent whirlpool.

2. a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs: themaelstrom of early morning traffic.

3. ( initial capital letter) a famous hazardous whirlpool off theNW coast of Norway.

1682 (Hakluyt has Malestrand, c.1560), “whirlpool off thenorthwest coast of Norway,” from Dan. malstrøm (1673), fromDu. Maelstrom, lit. “grinding-stream

Also,

4. The best ride at Disney World.