Schwarzenegger Effect 

The Schwarzenegger Effect is used to describe a situation whereby someone wins an award or is selected for preferment, based on reputation and not by results.

The background to this phrase is based on the generally accepted opinion that Arnold Schwarzenegger won his 6th Mr. Olympia title on his reputation and not because he deserved to win.

Bob: Man, you had a tight car stereo installation! Well done in taking 2nd place in the 'Auto Sound Off' contest!
Dave: Thanks man, but I really thought our team should have won and not Mike!
Bob: That's the Schwarzenegger Effect dude - you know Mike is the man around these parts!

Schwarzenegger Effect by buckonz March 17, 2009

The Schwarzenegger Effect

the phenomenon where seemingly rational and intelligent people are given a choice between a regular, sensible, safe option and a completely absurd and random option...and in a lapse of hilarity...think to themselves "wouldn't it be funny if" and place a joke vote towards the laughable choice, thinking there is no way this will happen...

...unaware that millions of other seemingly rational and intelligent people have also thought of this and thus creating a tragically hilarious scenario where the joke candidate or choice has been chosen and is now in control of their daily lives, unfortunately.

John thought it would be funny to vote "Katy Perry" as the next United States senator from his state just so he could tell his co-workers the next day, unaware that The Schwarzenegger Effect would now place the pop singer in firm control of his state's government and his parents' health insurance coverage.

The Schwarzenegger Effect by bottomboy tj September 5, 2019