Streisand

/ˈstraɪzænd/ noun

Definition

Referring to Barbra Streisand, iconic American singer and actress, or to the 'Streisand Effect' phenomenon.

Etymology

Surname of German-Jewish origin, possibly from Streitzsand, meaning 'disputed sand' or a place name. The 'Streisand Effect' was coined in 2005 after Barbra Streisand's legal attempt to suppress photos of her Malibu home backfired, generating more publicity.

Kelly Says

The Streisand Effect perfectly captures internet-age irony: attempts to hide information often make it more widely known. Barbra's 2003 lawsuit over aerial photos of her house turned a barely-noticed image into front-page news, creating an enduring lesson about unintended consequences in the digital era.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.