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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “No Active Recollection” is an epic card of the Dutch Memes pack, number 15 of the collection, and the 8th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “No Active Recollection” meme mean?
The phrase literally describes having no clear memory of an event. Used as a meme, it hints that someone is claiming not to remember an embarrassing or compromising episode. People use it to call attention to an answer that appears to dodge a question, particularly in political and media discussions, but also in everyday conversation. Its dry tone signals suspicion without making a direct accusation of lying.
Where does the “No Active Recollection” meme come from?
The phrase is linked to Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, although he did not invent it. He had used similar wording in 2018 during the Halbe Zijlstra affair. It became especially well known on April 1, 2021, during a parliamentary debate about the “elsewhere function” memo concerning Pieter Omtzigt. Rutte said he did not recall a discussion about Omtzigt, while his notes indicated otherwise. The wording was subsequently repeated across news coverage and political debates, then spread as an ironic everyday response. It has also been used in ordinary conversation and in court proceedings. In 2022, the phrase was added to the Dikke Van Dale, a Dutch dictionary.
- 2018Mark Rutte uses similar wording during the Halbe Zijlstra affair.
- April 1, 2021The phrase becomes especially well known during a parliamentary debate about Pieter Omtzigt.
- 2022The expression is added to the Dikke Van Dale, a Dutch dictionary.
How to use the “No Active Recollection” meme
- Reply “geen actieve herinnering” when someone says they have forgotten an awkward promise.
- Use it to comment on a political statement that avoids addressing the issue.
- Drop the phrase when a colleague suddenly cannot recall a questionable decision.
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The “No Active Recollection” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 015 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Dutch Memes pack |
| Fame | 94/100 · #8 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “No Active Recollection” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; No Active Recollection comes out of the Dutch Memes pack as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “No Active Recollection”
More cards of the Dutch Memes pack
Frequently asked questions
What does “geen actieve herinnering” mean?
It literally means having no active recollection of something. As an ironic phrase, it suggests that someone is avoiding an awkward question.
Who popularized “geen actieve herinnering”?
The phrase is associated with Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister. His use of it during a 2021 parliamentary debate made it particularly well known.
What is the origin of the “geen actieve herinnering” meme?
It grew out of Mark Rutte’s statements about not remembering a discussion concerning Pieter Omtzigt. He had used comparable wording earlier, in 2018.
Was “geen actieve herinnering” added to a dictionary?
Yes. The expression was added to the Dikke Van Dale in 2022, according to the supplied information.
How do I get the No Active Recollection meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “No Active Recollection” is an epic card of the Dutch Memes pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the No Active Recollection card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: 'Ik heb daar geen actieve herinnering aan' komt in Dikke Van Dale · Hoe de 'actieve herinneringen' Van Dale haalden · Wideangle: What new words is Europe using? - The New World · checked on November 7, 2026.
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