Clever Hans
Americannoun
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a horse that allegedly solved arithmetic problems spoken to it, indicating the answer by tapping out the number with its hoof, while in reality reacting to subtle cues delivered consciously or unconsciously by its trainer.
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any animal to which a similar behavior is attributed.
adjective
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
According to the scientists, this is largely reminiscent of the "Clever Hans effect."
From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2023
In 1907, Clever Hans achieved fame as a horse who could do arithmetic — stomping his hooves to count out the correct answers to questions posed to him by his trainer.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2021
In 1904, the world was dazzled by Clever Hans, a horse whose owner, a German math instructor, claimed that he could solve simple arithmetic problems.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 6, 2021
One such example, which has loomed large over the field of comparative cognitive studies since the early 20th century, was the case of a horse named Clever Hans.
From New York Times ● May 27, 2021
Consider the famous case of Clever Hans, the horse who seemed to be able to count.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
