butt-brush effect

English

Noun

butt-brush effect (uncountable)

1. (informal) A loss of interest in buying a product in a crowded store if one is inadvertently touched from behind by another shopper passing by.
   • 2008, Richard H. Robbins, Cengage Advantage Books: Cultural Anthropology: A Problem-Based Approach:

     One of Underhill's main findings has to do with what he calls the “butt-brush effect”: touch someone, especially a woman, from behind, and she'll immediately move away from the merchandise and often leave the store.