repeating history

[vmriley47]

what is the word for thinking you have been there befor or you have done this etc

[Quizmonster]

D�j� vu...French for 'already seen' perhaps?

[Clanad]

Of course, Q is quite correct and his offering is the most recognized... however, your question begs a slightly different answer; deja vu' does translate as "already seen, but d�j� v�cu translates as "already experienced", while d�j� visit� translates as "already visited"... somewhat and admittedly a more pedantic, application of the Francais, non?
Perhaps Q can work these phrases into his next sojourn (c.1290, from O.Fr. sojorner "stay or dwell for a time," from V.L. *subdiurnare "to spend the day," from L. sub- "under, until" + diurnus "of a day," from diurnum "day" (see diurnal). Fr. s�journer formed via vowel dissimilation) (Source: Online Etymology) (Yes, it's a slow day here...)

[dr john]

It's like deja vu all over again...

[Quizmonster]

My trusty OED, C, defines d�j� vu as (quote) "an illusory feeling of having previously experienced a present situation." In other words the phrase does not just mean previously seen. The dictionary also lists d�j� entendu for previously heard and d�j� lu for previously read in such circumstances and, I daresay, we could create a veritable list of variants including your own two.

However, d�j� vu, it would seem, is now taken to be a blanket explanation for this experience whatever the 'medium', as it were. The British are notoriously dismissive of foreign languages, so your possibly more accurant v�cu just never caught on here!

[Quizmonster]

Accurant...I like it!

[keithlbw]

I'm sure this has been answered before .

[Clanad]

It only seems that way, keith... it's an illusion but quite accurant...