time loop n.
a (short) repeating period of time, typically one which (some) people are aware they are experiencing repeatedly
SF Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
Time Travel
-
1936
page image
Otto Binder
bibliography
Memory is another abstract quality hard to define, unless one thinks of reliving every instant over and over as often as the time loop curls back on itself. Why do we remember some things in our childhood vividly, and forget other events completely a week after hamppening? Simply—yet not so simply—because the successive loops of time are overlapping in places, far apart in others.
The Time Entity in Astounding Stories Oct. 76/2 -
1946
page image
Charles F. Ksanda
bibliography
The silver sphere before you is a perfect pendulum, its motion exactly adjusted by magnetic currents in the metal rail beneath it. The length of the time loop varies directly with the rate at which the sphere passes through the basin.
Forever Is Today in Thrilling Wonder Stories Summer 96/1 -
1960
page image
Donald A. Wollheim
bibliography
Arthur Rainier determined that a time loop was due to open within striking distance of this city last year.
This Year & No Other in Science Fiction Stories May 63/2 -
1972
page image
Harry Harrison
bibliography
‘When was he born? Where does he come from?’ ‘Those terms are meaningless in this sort of temporal relationship. He exists only within this time loop.’
Stainless Steel Rat’s Return in Worlds of If 103/1 -
1978
page image
Sherwood Springer
bibliography
Was there something tricky about this time jumping that neither he nor Murdo knew about? Overlapping, maybe, or a time loop or something…that could bring him around in a circle. [ellipsis in orig.]
Fragger’s Bottom Line…Line…Line… in Asimov’s Science Fiction July–Aug. 140 -
1991 Cinefantastique Feb. 53/5 (caption)
page image
Kirtwood Smith, trapped in an unending time loop in 12:01 P.M.
-
2016
page image
As it turns out, we are trapped in a time loop—doomed to repeat this election cycle for all eternity!
Still More Primary Phenomena in 25 Years of Tomorrow II. (2017) 530
Research requirements
antedating 1936
Earliest cite
Otto Binder, in Astounding
Last modified 2024-07-09 11:50:00
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.