4

Is there any single word in English for flashbacks within flashbacks?

5
  • 4
    Perhaps meta-flashback. Mar 11, 2012 at 11:31
  • 4
    If you were talking about dreams within dreams, I'd say, "Inception."
    – J.R.
    Mar 11, 2012 at 11:36
  • 1
    @J.R.,Not really,perhaps Inception was a good movie. Mar 11, 2012 at 11:42
  • @VijinPaulraj: Yes, not really. I guess I should have added the ;^) emoticon.
    – J.R.
    Mar 11, 2012 at 11:51
  • seems inceptionmania to all? Mar 13, 2012 at 17:10

4 Answers 4

4

I've heard the term "nested flashback" before (as in "nested stories"). A non-authoritative example:

http://literarylab.blogspot.com/2011/08/nesting-flashbacks-or-not.html

That's not a single word, though...

2

I'm joining Brett's comment. Metaflashback.

(Don't think there would be an hyphen.)

2
  • Is metaflashback a new word? Mar 11, 2012 at 14:57
  • 1
    @Vijin: Yes, and only certain technically-minded readers would understand it.
    – GEdgar
    Mar 11, 2012 at 19:07
2

According to tvtropes.org, a flashback within a flashback is called an "Inception Flashback."

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FlashbackWithinAFlashback

1
  • Welcome to ELU.SE, Tom. Very nice first answer. Take the tour or have a look at the help center to find out more about ELU.SE when you stick around :)
    – Helmar
    Oct 9, 2016 at 10:28
0

In computer programming that would be called

Recursive flashback.

Or

Recursion of flashbacks.

Or more descriptively, having a flashback within a flashback within a flashback would be

Third level of flashback recursion.

Perhaps, in a less technical situation, the lyrics of the song "The windmills your mind" could offer some guidance.

3
  • like recursive fn? Mar 11, 2012 at 18:53
  • Not quite, because in programming a recursive function is specifically a function that calls itself - so it would only be a recursive flashback if it was a flashback about itself.
    – Benubird
    Mar 14, 2012 at 0:31
  • A recursive dream - the dream is the function. But at every level of recursion the function or the dream need not be dreaming of the same. Mar 14, 2012 at 4:09

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.