Instead, the Latin ignis fatuus is documented no earlier than the 16th century in Germany, where it was coined by a German humanist, and appears to be a free translation of the long-existing German name Irrlicht ('wandering light' or 'deceiving light') conceived of in German folklore as a mischievous spirit of nature the Latin translation was made to lend the German name intellectual credibility. The term is not attested in the Middle Ages either. Despite its Latin origins, the term ignis fatuus is not attested in antiquity, and the name for the will-o'-the-wisp used by the ancient Romans is uncertain. The Latin name ignis fatuus is composed of ignis, meaning 'fire' and fatuus, an adjective meaning 'foolish', 'silly' or 'simple' it can thus be literally translated into English as 'foolish fire' or more idiomatically as 'giddy flame'. In the United States, they are often called "spook-lights", "ghost-lights", or "orbs" by folklorists. The term jack-o'-lantern ('Jack of the lantern') originally referred to a will-o'-the-wisp. The term "will-o'-the-wisp" comes from "wisp", a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch and the name " Will", thus meaning 'Will of the torch'. Modern science explains the light aspect as natural phenomena such as bioluminescence or chemiluminescence, caused by the oxidation of phosphine (PH 3), diphosphane (P 2H 4) and methane (CH 4), produced by organic decay. In folklore wills-o'-the-wisp are typically attributed as ghosts, fairies, or elemental spirits. Louis Light in Saskatchewan, the Spooklight in Southwestern Missouri and Northeastern Oklahoma, the Marfa lights of Texas, the Naga fireballs on the Mekong in Thailand, the Paulding Light in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Hessdalen light in Norway. Wills-o'-the-wisp appear in folk tales and traditional legends of numerous countries and cultures notable named examples include St. ![]() In literature, will-o'-the-wisp metaphorically refers to a hope or goal that leads one on, but is impossible to reach, or something one finds strange or sinister. The phenomenon is known in much of European folklore by a variety of names, including jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, and hinkypunk, and is said to mislead travellers by resembling a flickering lamp or lantern. In folklore, a will-o'-the-wisp, will-o'-wisp, or ignis fatuus ( Latin for 'foolish flame' PL ignes fatui), is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travellers at night, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes. The Will o' the Wisp and the Snake by Hermann Hendrich (1854–1931) For other uses, see Will-o'-the-wisp (disambiguation).
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