what is it called when

3 min read 22-01-2025

What is it Called When…? A Guide to Naming Common Phenomena

The question "What is it called when...?" is a common one, encompassing a vast range of experiences and observations. This article explores several scenarios where this question arises, providing names for various phenomena and offering a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts.

What is it Called When You Have a Sudden, Intense Feeling of Nostalgia?

This intense, often bittersweet longing for the past is sometimes called Saudade. Originating from Portuguese, Saudade is a deep emotional state of nostalgic or deeply melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. It's more than just missing someone; it's a profound sense of yearning for a past time, place, or person, often accompanied by a sense of loss and the impossibility of recapture.

While there isn't a single perfect English equivalent, words like wistfulness, yearning, or melancholia can partially capture the essence of Saudade, but none fully encompass its depth and complexity.

What is it Called When You Can't Remember a Word?

The frustrating experience of knowing a word but being unable to recall it is called the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon (TOT). This common cognitive experience highlights the complex nature of memory retrieval. While the information is stored in the brain, access to it is temporarily blocked. Factors like stress, fatigue, and age can contribute to the frequency of TOT experiences.

What is it Called When Someone Copies Your Work?

The act of presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own is called plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious academic and professional offense, with significant consequences ranging from failing grades to legal action. It's essential to always properly cite and attribute sources to avoid accusations of plagiarism. Understanding different forms of plagiarism, including direct copying, paraphrasing without attribution, and self-plagiarism, is crucial for maintaining academic and professional integrity.

What is it Called When You Suddenly Remember Something?

This sudden and unexpected recall of a memory is often referred to as spontaneous recall or flashbulb memory. Flashbulb memories are particularly vivid and detailed recollections of significant or emotionally charged events. While often exceptionally clear, they're not always entirely accurate, potentially subject to distortion over time. The mechanisms behind spontaneous recall and flashbulb memories continue to be a focus of memory research.

What is it Called When You Experience a Déjà Vu?

The eerie feeling that you've already experienced the current situation, even though you know you haven't, is called déjà vu. While the exact cause is still debated among scientists, theories suggest it could be due to neurological glitches, memory misattributions, or even a subtle similarity to a past experience. The feeling is so common that most people will experience it at some point in their lives.

What is it Called When You Experience Intense Fear?

Intense and overwhelming fear is typically referred to as terror or panic. This feeling is often accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and sweating. When this fear is triggered by a specific object or situation, it can be categorized as a phobia. If it's persistent and disruptive to daily life, it might be a symptom of a more serious condition like anxiety disorder.

What is it Called When You Dream of Falling?

The sensation of falling in a dream is a very common experience, often referred to as a hypnagogic jerk or a myoclonic jerk. This involuntary muscle spasm occurs as you're falling asleep and is thought to be caused by your brain misinterpreting the relaxation of your muscles as a fall. The feeling of falling in your dream may not be directly related to the hypnagogic jerk itself, but it's a frequent companion.

This is just a small sample of the numerous phenomena that people wonder about. The next time you find yourself asking "What is it called when...?" remember to use specific search terms to find a more precise answer. Exploring these questions can lead to a richer understanding of human experience and the fascinating complexities of the world around us.