 They termed the pronoun of solidarity “T”, and the pronoun of power “V” to make for clarity and understanding.The varied use of T and V is used to implicate different relationships between those in conversation based on factors such as age, social class, similarity, familiarity, respect, and expression of mood.The Tip of The Tongue Phenomenon (1966)

To test the Tip of the Tongue phenomenon empirically, Brown and David McNeill conducted a study in which they asked participants to look over a list of words and definitions and then listen to the definition one of the words on the list.