Reverse Ettingermentum
Reverse Ettingermentum is a satirical political term used to describe the phenomenon where a political commentator, analyst, or prediction consistently proves incorrect, often with outcomes opposite to those forecast. The phrase is modeled after the financial
slang Reverse Cramer, which refers to investors profiting by doing the opposite of
television host Jim Cramer’s stock recommendations.
The term plays on “Ettingermentum,” a colloquialism (often used online) for misplaced
hype or momentum in political forecasting, where an analyst’s confident assertions are later contradicted by electoral results or public
opinion shifts. In practice, Reverse Ettingermentum suggests that if a certain commentator or outlet predicts a political outcome, observers expect the opposite to occur.
Usage
The phrase is primarily employed on social media and in online political communities as a form of
irony or criticism directed at punditry, polling, and conventional
wisdom in
politics. It encapsulates skepticism toward predictive models and expert commentary, particularly when prior predictions have failed.
Examples
Instances often cited as “Reverse Ettingermentum” include:
Pollsters and commentators projecting a “red wave” in the
2022 United States midterm elections, only for Democrats to outperform expectations.
Media consensus in 2015 that Jeb Bush was the likely Republican nominee for
2016, followed by his early exit.
“His track record is so bad, he’s practically the poster
child for Reverse Ettingermentum.”
“Reverse Ettingermentum strikes again: he declared the
race over, and the underdog won in a landslide.”
“They should put him on TV more—he’s a walking Reverse Ettingermentum indicator.”
“Pollsters calling it
wrong? Must be Reverse Ettingermentum season.”
