E is for the guide that introduces the core terms people use when talking about haunted places and unexplained events. It is the first step into a world where folklore, testimony, and science intersect, helping readers understand what locals, investigators, and scholars mean when they reference common phenomena. The terms cover a mix of folklore, investigation methods, and cultural ideas, and they often appear across books, documentaries, and interviews with investigators and believers alike. This section sets the stage for a thoughtful, critical look at paranormal experiences and the language that surrounds them. Source: Britannica.
ECTOPLASM has long lived as the emblem of the unseen. In popular imagination it appears as a pale, white mist that a medium sometimes claims to exude during seances. Historians note that many early ghost stories framed ectoplasm as a tangible substance that could be seen, touched, or photographed. In real investigative settings, the phenomenon is widely regarded with skepticism, and many of the alleged manifestations were later explained as misinterpretations, fabrications, or natural phenomena. Still, the term continues to pop up in films, games, and conversations about the supernatural. People who study the paranormal distinguish between historical accounts and modern claims, emphasizing careful observation and evidence. Source: Britannica.
ENFIELD POLTERGEIST refers to a controversial episode in North London during the late 1970s that drew international attention. Reportedly, disturbances began in the Harper family home, with bed frames rattling and doors slamming, followed by knocks, bangs, and objects moving without apparent cause. Eyewitnesses described fires starting without flame or smoke, and residents recalled sounds coming from beneath the floorboards. The case sparked investigations by investigators such as Maurice Grosse and others, and it remains a touchstone in discussions about poltergeists. Critics have questioned several aspects of the claims, while supporters point to a pattern of spontaneous events that escalated and then gradually faded. The Enfield story continues to shape how investigators approach similar phenomena. Source: Britannica.
EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomenon, and it is the idea that voices from the spirit world can be captured on sound recordings. In practice, a recorder is left in a room to collect ambient noise and later played back for interpretation. Some listeners report hearing clear voices, others hear a metallic timbre or unexplainable whispers. Skeptics remind audiences that many so called voices can arise from ordinary sounds, radio interference, or the brain’s tendency to hear meaning in random noise. The phenomenon also appears in documentaries, films, and media features about hauntings, where investigators compare exclamations on tape with known phrases or questions. Source: Britannica.
EXORCISM is a dramatic ritual aimed at removing a hostile presence from a person or a place. In many traditions, it is reserved for cases judged as severe or dangerous, and it is rarely performed without careful discernment by religious authorities or qualified practitioners. The procedure varies across cultures, from formal rites conducted in temples or churches to informal deliverance prayers in homes. Observers emphasize consent, safety, and the well being of those involved. In modern stories and films the rite often appears as a climactic moment that tests faith, skepticism, and community support. Source: Britannica.
EXTRASENSORY PERCEPTION is the umbrella term for abilities that seem to go beyond ordinary senses. This includes telepathy, the mind moving objects through psychokinesis, and clairvoyance, which is often described as gathering information without direct perception. Academic researchers have studied ESP for decades, yet the evidence remains contested and widely debated. Fans of parapsychology point to intriguing experiments and anecdotal accounts, while critics highlight methodological flaws and inconsistent results. Pop culture reflects ESP in novels, television, and films, where heroes and villains illustrate the pull of unseen knowledge. Source: Britannica.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL describes beings or objects that originate beyond Earth. In fiction, aliens like Marvin the Martian and the character E.T. illustrate a broad spectrum of forms and motives. In real life, unidentified flying objects fascinate pilots, researchers, and the public, prompting ongoing investigations and debate about what lies beyond our atmosphere. The term also encompasses spacecraft, probes, and signals that hint at other worlds, nurtured by science fiction and curiosity alike. Source: Britannica.