Kari Effect

Kari Effect (noun)
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑ r.i ɪˌfɛkt/
1. The involuntary act of smiling so hard that one’s jaw pops, typically caused by overwhelming joy, affection, or attraction.
2. (informal) The emotional reaction brought on by someone whose presence or message triggers an uncontrollable grin.

Origin: Coined humorously to describe a smile so powerful it becomes physically audible; named after Kari, the person capable of inducing such reactions.

Example: “He’s got a bad case of the Kari Effect again — must’ve seen her post.”
Example: “Every time she texted me, I got the Kari Effect — my smile literally made my jaw pop.”

Kari Effect by Zariph Crosby November 5, 2025

The Kari Byron Effect 

The Kari Byron Effect refers to a woman who is attractive, but whose attractiveness is emphasized or exaggerated largely based on her being the only woman among a bunch of men (Jamie, Adam, Tory, Grant).

My only female co-worker seems hot, but it's probably just the Kari Byron Effect in action.

The Kari Byron Effect by MisterRay October 23, 2020