phrase
The default, automatic response given by someone experiencing auditory hallucinations (often associated with
schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders) when they hear a voice, sound, or noise that isn't there, and they need to quickly dismiss it to a concerned
person nearby.
It's the verbal equivalent of hitting "dismiss" on a
pop-up
ad in your brain. The person saying it knows, on some level, that the source is internal, but saying this phrase is a coping mechanism to maintain a facade of normalcy and avoid further questions.
A phrase used to sarcastically or darkly describe the moment you realize you're having a symptom, but you're trying to play it cool so no one freaks out.
More broadly, any dismissive explanation for something clearly paranormal, supernatural, or just plain
weird.
Friend: "Hey, are you okay? You just flinched and looked at the empty
corner."
Person: "Huh? Oh, yeah, must've been the wind. Thought I heard something."
"The shadow-people were whispering my name again, but my
roommate was looking at me, so I just shrugged and said, 'Must've been the wind.' Gotta keep up appearances."
"Did that painting just blink?" "Nah, must've been the wind."