Blanked

/blæŋkt/ verb, adjective

Definition

Forgot something completely or suddenly couldn't remember something; also means deliberately ignored someone.

Etymology

From 'blank,' which comes from Old French 'blanc' (white). A blank mind was like a white page with nothing written on it—the metaphor comes from the appearance of emptiness.

Kelly Says

We still use 'blank' as a memory metaphor because our brains work like writing surfaces—when you 'blank,' it's as if someone erased your mental chalkboard! That's why we also say 'draw a blank' for forgetting something.

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