MatPat effect

noun

A feeling of uncanniness experienced upon seeing the original version of a piece of media (often an image, video or sound effect) that has been more commonly altered or modified, especially in memes.

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Meanings

noun
  1. InternetneologismA feeling of uncanniness experienced upon seeing the original version of a piece of media (often an image, video or sound effect) that has been more commonly altered or modified, especially in memes.

Origin

From MatPat + effect. Named after YouTuber MatPat (Matthew Patrick), who frequently used a cropped photograph of himself as an online avatar in videos (sometimes edited to make certain facial expressions), resulting in this original photograph—which includes two other people beside him—looking as if he was also edited into it, rather than originally part of it.

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Cite this entry
APA

MatPat effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/MatPat%20effect

MLA

“MatPat effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/MatPat%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “MatPat effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/MatPat%20effect.

Source: MatPat effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.