Passion Fades — and the Phenomenon Has A Lolsy Name

Jan 21, 2011 • Books, Culture

The Coolidge Effect

We’re all familiar with the fireworks of passion decreasing as people settle in to being together, but did you know there is an actual name for this? According to Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of Kissing, it’s called “The Coolidge Effect” — and yes, that “Coolidge” refers to U.S. president, Calvin Coolidge.

As the story goes, First Lady Grace Coolidge entered a government farm’s chicken coup while a rooster was mounting a hen. She was told the cock copulated dozens of times a day, and reportedly responded, “Go tell that to the president.”

When her husband was informed of the bird’s sexual exploits, he asked whether each rooster routinely serviced the same hen. Upon learning there are many females for each rooster, it’s said that the president replied: “Tell that to Mrs. Coolidge.”