Thatcher effect

proper noun

The phenomenon whereby it is more difficult to detect local feature changes in an upside-down face, despite identical changes being obvious in an upright face.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The phenomenon whereby it is more difficult to detect local feature changes in an upside-down face, despite identical changes being obvious in an upright face.

Origin

Named after British prime minister Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013), whose image was used as an example.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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