pendulum effect

noun

1. Also called pendulum law. Physics. a law, discovered by Galileo in 1602, that describes the regular, swinging motion of a pendulum by the action of gravity and acquired momentum.
2. the theory holding that trends in culture, politics, etc., tend to swing back and forth between opposite extremes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulum effect¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

“We’ve experienced a pendulum effect in Britain,” he said.

From Time

As history has taught us, presidencies are subject to the pendulum effect.

From Washington Post

I’m basing my predictions on the pendulum effect.

From Washington Post

“There’s almost always a pendulum effect,” on enrollment over the years, he said.

From Washington Times

I call this the “Pendulum Effect”– swinging to the opposite side of the professional world, praying that a dramatic career change will improve everything.

From Forbes