ðɪ aɪdˈiə əvə "mˈaɪndz ˈaɪ" ɡoʊz bˈæk æt lˈiːst tə sˈaɪsɹoʊz ɹˈɛfɹəns tə mˈɛntiz ˈɑːkjʊlˌaɪ dˈʊɹɹɪŋ hɪz dɪskˈʌʃən ʌvðɪ ˈɔːɹəɾɚz ɐpɹˈoʊpɹɪət jˈuːs ʌv sˈɪmɪli.
The idea of a "mind's eye" goes back at least to Cicero's reference to mentis oculi during his discussion of the orator's appropriate use of simile.