Abstract

The phenomenon where an individual misremembers a word, phrase, or musical sound as one which may or may not possess the surface characteristics of the correct form is widely known. This symbolic misremembrance commonly occurs in language but can also be observed in music, often in relation to pop song lyrics or melodies. Symbolic misremembrances are commonly used in popular culture, where they are often used to evoke a comedic affective quality. The form these misremembrances will take depends heavily on the cultural background and personal experience of the individual who creates the misremembered form. Because the formation of symbolic misremembrances is largely guided by an individual’s personal knowledge and experience, the interpretation of the correct form which the misremembrance is intended to reference is extremely dependent on shared cultural knowledge. This paper examines the perceptual links guiding the formation of symbolic misremembrances and discusses the place of this perceptual phenomenon as a symbol in popular culture.