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@50_shadez_of_green: In this context it's when plastic/elastic breaks down over time. Causes can be stress from stretching, rubbing on a bit of bead that happens to be sharp, heat, dry air, age, etc. It's the way a plastic toy starts to feel old and brittle even though it's solid, or a pen in the back of a drawer feels weird, or scotch tape can go yellow and breaky. Plastics can change color, turn rubbery, stain green from an internal wire bendy frame, etc. Some vintage brunette Barbies develop bright orange hair. Manufacturers are better now at making things that don't degrade, but since cord is made to stretch and move, it's more prone to breaking down.