Glossary of Ghost Hunting Terms

There are many TV shows, books, magazines, radio programs about the paranormal. In these various types of media, they may use lots of terminology that is difficult to understand. When reading, watching or listening about the paranormal, keeping this handy list of terminology as a guide, will make your experiences a lot easier to understand when we travel in things that go bump in a Canadian night.

Apparition - Since the early 17th century, this refers to any ghost that seems to have material substance. If it appears in any physical form, including a vapor-like image, it may be called an apparition.

Banshee - From the Irish, bean sidhe, meaning female spirit. Her wail does not always mean death, and she does not cause anyone to die. She's generally not a ghost.

Ectoplasm - Often referred to as "ecto," this is the physical residue of psychic energy. It's the basis for "slime" used in the Ghostbusters movies. Ectoplasm can be seen by the naked eye, and is best viewed in dark settings since it is translucent and tends to glow. It is very unusual.

Entity - Any being, including people and ghosts.

EVP - Electronic Voice Phenomena, or the recording of unexplained voices, usually in haunted settings. You can pick up a voice recorder at any electronic store or eBay.

Ghost - A sentient entity or spirit that visits or lingers in our world, after he or she lived among us as a human being. We've also seen evidence of ghostly animals and pets.

Haunted - Describes a setting where ghosts, poltergeists, and/or residual energy seem to produce significant paranormal activity. The word "haunt" originally meant to frequent.

Medium -- Someone who can communicate between our world and the other side.

Occult - From the Latin, meaning something that is concealed or covered. Since the 16th century, it has meant anything that is mysterious.

Orb - A round, whitish or pastel-colored translucent area in photos. Generally, these are perfectly circular, not oval. Many researchers believe that they represent spirits or ghosts.

Paranormal - The prefix, "para" indicates something that is irregular, faulty, or operating outside the usual boundaries. So, "paranormal" refers to anything outside the realm and experiences that we consider normal.

Psi - Popular term used to mean any psychic phenomena, psychic abilities, and sometimes inclusive of paranormal disturbances as well.

Residual energy - Many ghost hunters believe that emotionally charged events leave an imprint or energy residue on the physical objects nearby.

Spirit - This word comes from the Latin, meaning that which breathes. It means that which animates life, or the soul of the being.