poltergeist

Where does the word "poltergeist" come from? It comes from German poltern, passing through German before entering English (1800s).

Poltergeist’s story begins in German: poltern meant “to make noise.” Meaning "to make noise" or "rumble". Within German, it grew into Poltergeist by 1700s. Combining "poltern" with "Geist" (ghost), a noisy spirit. It reached English by 1800s as poltergeist. German 'noisy ghost'; the 1982 film 'Poltergeist' made the word widely known. Today, poltergeist means a ghost or spirit blamed for noises and physical disturbances.

1. Stage 1 · German · medieval poltern "to make noise", meaning "to make noise" or "rumble".
2. Stage 2 · German · 1700s Poltergeist "a noisy ghost", combining "poltern" with "Geist" (ghost), a noisy spirit.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s poltergeist "a ghost said to cause physical disturbances", German 'noisy ghost'; the 1982 film 'Poltergeist' made the word widely known.