Cryptomnesia

/ˌkrɪptoʊmˈniːʒə/ noun

Definition

A psychological phenomenon where a person unconsciously recalls and reproduces information they previously encountered but forgot they knew.

Etymology

From Greek 'kryptos' (hidden) + 'mnesia' (memory). Carl Jung popularized this term in early psychology to describe how the mind holds onto memories without conscious awareness.

Kelly Says

Cryptomnesia might explain why you suddenly 'invent' a song lyric or joke that sounds original until you realize you heard it years ago—your brain remembered it while your conscious mind forgot it was stored!

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