Will Rogers phenomenon

proper noun

The situation where moving an observation from one group to another increases the average of both groups.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Will Rogers phenomenon
  1. The situation where moving an observation from one group to another increases the average of both groups.

Origin

Named after the comedian Will Rogers, who joked (in the context of migration during the Great Depression) that "when the Okies left Oklahoma and moved to California, they raised the average intelligence level in both states".

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Cite this entry
APA

Will Rogers phenomenon. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Will%20Rogers%20phenomenon

MLA

“Will Rogers phenomenon.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Will%20Rogers%20phenomenon. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Will Rogers phenomenon,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Will%20Rogers%20phenomenon.

Source: Will Rogers phenomenon on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.