poltergeistism

English

Etymology

poltergeist +‎ -ism

Noun

poltergeistism (uncountable)

1. The supposed manifestation of the presence of one or more poltergeists, especially as involving physical objects which move or fly about without warning.
   • 1920, E. H. Jones, The Road to En-Dor‎^[1], John Lane (London), page 28:

     "Breakin' windows and such," Hall said; "reg'lar Mafficking night they 'ad last night. Put the wind up them all proper."
     "Poltergeistism!" I ejaculated.

   • 1958 March 17, Robert Wallace, “House of Flying Objects”, in Life, page 55:

     There are numerous records of poltergeists in the scientific and quasi-scientific literature of Europe and the U.S., although there is probably no case of poltergeistism anywhere that has been authenticated beyond reasonable doubt.

   • 2002, Mulaika Hijjas, “Family Ghosts”, in Feminist Studies, volume 28, number 2, page 372:

     Robert Foong had noted that the tactics of aggrieved family ghosts were more along the lines of passive-aggressive than poltergeistism. Nevertheless, Juliet gave a covert look around the room for handy missiles.