03 June 2008

Variations of Deja vu

Most people are familiar with the French term "deja vu" ("already seen") and use the term in conversation. Here are some related terms.

Presque vu ("almost seen") - for the sense that one is about to experience an epiphany. Similar to the "tip of the tongue" phenomenon.

Jamais vu ("never seen") - failure to recognize a situation that should be familiar. Often described as the opposite of deja vu (in the Monty Python programs I think the nonsensical term "Vuja de" was used).

Déjà vécu ("already lived") - when the experience involves more than sight. This is the term people probably should be using when they use the term "deja vu."

Déjà visite ("already visited") - the seeming ability to find one's way around in a new locale.

More at Wikipedia. Image credit to listverse.com, which has a somewhat contrived list of "top ten" such sensations, including the Capgras phenomenon, which I had previously bookmarked and plan to blog separately someday.

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