When someone discovers something great. Then, someone else takes that and calls it his own. Suddenly, everyone knows that person #2 "discovered" it. Really annoying when you're person #1. I'm sure we've all been in this situation before!
Person #1: Hey dude, look at this new strategy i just found! It cuts lots of time off of my score!
Person #2: HEY EVERYONE I JUST FOUND THIS NEW TACTIC I CAN BEAT YOU ALL NOW!
Person #1: Dude, that's the Christopher Columbus Effect. You can't just take me work!
Person #2: HEY EVERYONE I JUST FOUND THIS NEW TACTIC I CAN BEAT YOU ALL NOW!
Person #1: Dude, that's the Christopher Columbus Effect. You can't just take me work!
by kevinc1012 September 11, 2010
Get the Christopher Columbus Effectmug. (noun)
1. When a player’s enjoyment of a survival or exploration game is ruined because someone else discovered or built something first. It’s not about competition—it’s about the emotional need to feel like the first to explore it themselves.
1. When a player’s enjoyment of a survival or exploration game is ruined because someone else discovered or built something first. It’s not about competition—it’s about the emotional need to feel like the first to explore it themselves.
by TheBigAhh June 8, 2025
Get the Christopher Columbus Effectmug.