You can’t get that tune out of your head and will not leave no matter what.
My husband walks by humming a tune, which sticks in my head. Oh great I think I will never get rid of it.
Definition of earworm
Urban Dictionary: “A song that sticks in your mind, and will not leave no matter how much you try. The best way to get rid of an earworm is to replace it with another.”
When it is most likely to happen
The tune tends to be a repetitive one.
Some people get earworms running, or doing repetitive things such as brushing their teeth. An earworm is prevalent when I go to Mennards with my husband.
They play that jingle commercial over and over while you are in there, even in the bathroom. “Save Big Money at Mennard’s”. Oh no, now I can hear it in my head.
Link to the jingle:
You may say the jingle is not that bad, it is after 100 reps, trust me on this one.
The Washington Post uses this tune by Lady Gaga as their example of an earworm. Listen while looking at the cures listed below.
earworm.
Here are a few cures in Wikipedia
• Washington Western University says practice some memory work that is moderate in difficulty, such as Sudoku puzzles or anagrams. I’m betting a Rubik’s cube would work.
• University of Reading in a psychology report says chewing gum will get rid of it. This is not for me because I get TMJ, although the pain would be a deterrent.
• Mark Twain says in one of his stories about a jingle that one can get rid of only by transferring it to another person. I think this is a good idea. You've got to love Mark Twain.
Which tunes tend to stick in your head?
The plumber is on his way over and I thought it might be fun to try one.
