etymology






 

Question by  mjaromin (42)

Is "poltergeist" a German word?

It seems like it would come from a different language.

 
+7

Answer by  redset (54)

Poltergeist is indeed a German word, a compound formed from the words "poltern" (meaning "to knock" or "to make noise") and "geist" (meaning "ghost" or "spirit"); it literally means "noisy ghost".

 
+6

Answer by  DamacuCamelii (87)

Poltergeist is a German word, and it is used mainly in literature dealing with paranormal phenomena to talk about a spirit (Geist) which makes noise (poltern) or moves objects.

 
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