Forgetting of Foreign Words
I gladly accepted the challenge, as I hoped to get an addition to my collection, and said, “ We can easily do this, but I must ask you to tell me frankly and without any criticism everything that occurs to your mind after you focus your attention, without any particular intention, on the forgotten word.” [1]
“Very well, the ridiculous idea comes to me to divide the word in the following way: a and liquis”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“What else does that recall to you?”
“The thought goes on to reliques—liquidation—liquidity—fluid.”
“Does that mean anything to you now?”
“No, not by a long shot.”
“Just go ahead.”
“I now think,” he said, laughing sarcastically, “of Simon of Trent, whose relics I saw two years ago in a church in Trent. I think of the old accusation which has been brought against the Jews again, and of the work of Kleinpaul, who sees in these supposed sacrifices reincarnations or revivals, so to speak, of the Saviour.”
“This stream of thoughts has some connection
- ↑ This is the usual way of bringing to consciousness hidden ideas. Cf. The Interpretation of Dreams, pp. 83-4, translated by A. A. Brill, The Macmillan Company, New York, and Allen, London.
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