Editing Poltergeist (section)

{{Short description|Ghost that causes physical disturbance}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Poltergeist-Therese Selles.jpg|thumb|Artist conception of poltergeist activity claimed by Thérèse Selles, a 14-year-old domestic servant of the Todescini family at Cheragas, Algeria. From the French magazine ''La Vie Mystérieuse'' in 1911.]]
In [[German folklore]] and [[ghostlore]], a '''poltergeist''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|oʊ|l|t|ər|ˌ|g|aɪ|s|t}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɒ|l|t|ər|ˌ|g|aɪ|s|t}}; {{IPA|de|ˈpɔltɐɡaɪ̯st|lang|De-Poltergeist.ogg}}; {{gloss|rumbling ghost}} or {{gloss|noisy spirit}}) is a type of [[ghost]] or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. Most claims or fictional descriptions of poltergeists show them as being capable of [[pinch (action)|pinch]]ing, [[biting]], [[strike (attack)|hitting]], and tripping people. They are also depicted as capable of the movement or [[levitation (paranormal)|levitation]] of objects such as furniture and cutlery, or noises such as knocking on doors. Foul smells are also associated with poltergeist occurrences, as well as spontaneous fires and different electrical issues such as flickering lights.<ref>{{Cite web|title=poltergeist {{!}} Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained - Credo Reference|url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/chambun/poltergeist/0|access-date=2022-02-18|website=search.credoreference.com}}</ref>

These manifestations have been recorded in many cultures and countries, including Brazil, Australia, the United States, Japan and most European nations. The first recorded cases date back to the 1st century.

Skeptics explain poltergeists as juvenile tricksters fooling credulous adults.