Tip of the tongue phenomenon

In everyday life

You can picture the actor and know his name starts with 'M', but it only comes to you hours later in the shower.

At dinner you are certain you know the capital of Australia and can almost feel it starting with a 'C', yet it will not come until the conversation has moved on.

Why your mind does this

Attention and memory are limited, so the brain stores more of what we think about deeply, use actively or expect to need, and less of what we barely noticed or know we can look up. This puts our limited memory where it pays off most.

Its family, in 30 seconds: How it was stored

How to spot it

Notice the strong sense of knowing a word or name while it refuses to surface.

What you can do

Stop straining and turn to something else for a while, since the missing word often comes back on its own once you relax.