cobra effect
The phenomenon where an attempted solution to a problem has an unintended consequence…The phenomenon where an attempted solution to a problem has an unintended consequence that makes the original problem worse.
Meaning
1 sensesThe phenomenon where an attempted solution to a problem has an unintended consequence that makes the original problem worse.
Kobra-Effekt
Translations
2 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From cobra + effect, a calque of German Kobra-Effekt, coined by the German economist HorstFrom cobra + effect, a calque of German Kobra-Effekt, coined by the German economist Horst Siebert (1938–2009) in a 2001 book, from an anecdote about an incident during the British rule of colonial India in the 19th century in which the government, concerned about the large number of venomous cobras in Delhi, offered a bounty for each dead cobra turned in, which eventually led to enterprising people breeding more cobras for the income. When the government discontinued the programme the breeders set their cobras free, which led to an increase in the cobra population.
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Forms
plural: cobra effects| Singular | cobra effect |
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