Tiffany problem

noun

A phenomenon in which a historical or realistic fact seems anachronistic or unrealistic to modern audiences of historical fiction, despite being accurate.

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Meanings

nounTiffany problem (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA phenomenon in which a historical or realistic fact seems anachronistic or unrealistic to modern audiences of historical fiction, despite being accurate.

Origin

From the fact that the proper name Tiffany has been used since circa 12th century in France and England, but a modern audience might associate with contemporary times.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: Tiffany problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.