<p>Sounds like what you're describing is "semantic satiation". <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_satiation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia explains</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The explanation for the phenomenon was that verbal repetition repeatedly aroused a specific neural pattern in the cortex which corresponds to the meaning of the word. Rapid repetition causes both the peripheral sensorimotor activity and the central neural activation to fire repeatedly, which is known to cause reactive inhibition, hence a reduction in the intensity of the activity with each repetition. </p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/6170/is-there-a-word-or-phrase-for-the-feeling-you-get-after-looking-at-a-word-for-to">English.SE also has some good answers</a> related to usage of this term, rather than the neurological/psychological mechanics of the phenomenon itself.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-31T13:29:02.183Z
Good answer. Some citations wouldn't go amiss though - I'd recommend [Balota and Black (1997)](http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/843/art%253A10.3758%252FBF03201112.pdf?auth66=1396445274_5229116b44178925be302318c1f686ac&ext=.pdf).
Eoin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-28T20:16:53.147Z
2014-03-28T20:22:39.080Z
2017-04-13T12:38:11.667Z
Jonathan Deamer
<p>I am basically looking for two words which are related to some degree. Ultimately the same word might even be the answer to both parts of this question. 
I split them up into two questions (see also <a href="https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/q/6116/4086">Technical term for the loss of words in your mother-tongue when speaking a different language</a>).</p>

<p>Anyhow, here's what I'm trying to give a name.<br>
If you think about a random word – take any – and you say it repeatedly, over and over again, and think even more about it, then – sometimes – it may happen to you that the word sounds more unfamiliar to you, and you start wondering if this word exists at all. Then, if you use it in a specific phrase or sentence, you also start doubting if you can use this word in that context at all.  </p>

<p>Is there a technical term for the loss of understanding of words or phrases which you actually not only know by heart but also are able to use off-the-cuff under normal circumstances?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-28T13:42:03.120Z
Sounds like a consequence of cognitive elaboration on the part of the thinker and some counter-intuitive qualities of the word in question. Can't say as I know a term for it though. Welcome to cogsci.SE BTW; hope you find what you're looking for!
Nick Stauner
<terminology><linguistics>
Technical term for the temporary loss of understanding a word
Em1
# Technical term for the temporary loss of understanding a word

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-28)

I am basically looking for two words which are related to some degree. Ultimately the same word might even be the answer to both parts of this question.
I split them up into two questions (see also [Technical term for the loss of words in your mother-tongue when speaking a different language](https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/q/6116/4086)).

Anyhow, here's what I'm trying to give a name.  
If you think about a random word – take any – and you say it repeatedly, over and over again, and think even more about it, then – sometimes – it may happen to you that the word sounds more unfamiliar to you, and you start wondering if this word exists at all. Then, if you use it in a specific phrase or sentence, you also start doubting if you can use this word in that context at all.

Is there a technical term for the loss of understanding of words or phrases which you actually not only know by heart but also are able to use off-the-cuff under normal circumstances?

**Tags:** terminology, linguistics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Sounds like a consequence of cognitive elaboration on the part of the thinker and some counter-intuitive qualities of the word in question. Can't say as I know a term for it though. Welcome to cogsci.SE BTW; hope you find what you're looking for!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-03-28. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Sounds like what you're describing is "semantic satiation". [Wikipedia explains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_satiation):

> The explanation for the phenomenon was that verbal repetition repeatedly aroused a specific neural pattern in the cortex which corresponds to the meaning of the word. Rapid repetition causes both the peripheral sensorimotor activity and the central neural activation to fire repeatedly, which is known to cause reactive inhibition, hence a reduction in the intensity of the activity with each repetition.

[English.SE also has some good answers](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/6170/is-there-a-word-or-phrase-for-the-feeling-you-get-after-looking-at-a-word-for-to) related to usage of this term, rather than the neurological/psychological mechanics of the phenomenon itself.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Good answer. Some citations wouldn't go amiss though - I'd recommend [Balota and Black (1997)](http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/843/art%253A10.3758%252FBF03201112.pdf?auth66=1396445274_5229116b44178925be302318c1f686ac&ext=.pdf).  

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