The "plethora effect" is when kids use words in college application or SAT essays that sound good but they don't really know the meaning of. Sometimes they'll accidentally use thme as words that sound similar but have completely different meanings (for example, accidentally saying homeliness instead of homelessness) or sometimes they'll just be totally wrong. It was given the name a few years ago when someone decided that "plethora" was a 'good SAT word' and everyone started using it in college essays, much to the chagrin of the people who actually read the things. It's basically a result of kids prepping for the SAT and college process too much. (Starting SAT review books in middle school, taking tons of Princeton Review classes, etc.) Can sometimes be helped with the use of spellcheck.
Admissions person 1: "Look at this, this girl's essay is about how 'fragile and venerable' she was as a middle schooler, and how much she's grown."
Admissions person 2: "That's the plethora effect for you..."
Admissions person 2: "That's the plethora effect for you..."
by ZenGwen May 21, 2006
Get the plethora effect mug.1. More than a few.
2. A quantity in excess of what is actually practical; an exorbitant amount.
3. Lots.
4. Tons.
2. A quantity in excess of what is actually practical; an exorbitant amount.
3. Lots.
4. Tons.
Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
by Dan February 23, 2004
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noun.
1. an excessive amount.
2. A lot.
This word is primarily used with great imprecision by inarticulate, pretentious college undergraduates who wish to express no more than "a lot," but want to do it with as many syllables and as annoyingly as possible.
1. an excessive amount.
2. A lot.
This word is primarily used with great imprecision by inarticulate, pretentious college undergraduates who wish to express no more than "a lot," but want to do it with as many syllables and as annoyingly as possible.
Unbearable undergraduate#1: I just drank a plethora of coffee so I can study for the test today.
Unbearable Undergraduate#2: Dude, me too. I hope there's not a plethora of questions.
Unbearable Undergraduate#2: Dude, me too. I hope there's not a plethora of questions.
by Bourbon Diction Andy October 15, 2009
Get the plethora mug.I was at a funeral and someone came up to me asking for permission to say a word at the front. I said of course and he stood up to say one word, ‘plethora’. I said ‘thankyou, it means a lot’
by hahalolthisisjokes May 28, 2018
Get the plethora mug.A person retaining and subsequently providing excessive information that is generally regarded as useless or not to the point.
by zephyr7 August 11, 2010
Get the plethorasaurus mug.by Smithjames September 18, 2016
Get the A plethora mug.1. Holy tornado! That bitch gotta plethora of ass.
2. The plethora of ass brought aboard by her majesty the Queen Elizabeth II was discovered to be the cause of the vessel's tragic destruction.
3. P.o.A., it's a pretty good movie.
2. The plethora of ass brought aboard by her majesty the Queen Elizabeth II was discovered to be the cause of the vessel's tragic destruction.
3. P.o.A., it's a pretty good movie.
by tickytocky October 11, 2008
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