

You might feel a little disoriented and wonder what’s going on, especially if you’re experiencing déjà vu for the first time. Or perhaps you’re exploring a new city for the first time and all at once feel as if you’ve walked down that exact tree-lined footpath before.

You’ve never done anything like it, but you suddenly have a distinct memory of making the same arm motions, under the same blue sky, with the same waves lapping at your feet.

Say you go paddleboarding for the first time. “Déjà vu” describes the uncanny sensation that you’ve already experienced something, even when you know you never have.
