Cryptozoology: The study and pursuit of cryptids, creatures traditionally considered mythical, folkloric or previously extinct. Example: Bigfoot, Chupacabra, Loch Ness Monster.

Disembodied Voice: A voice or noise that lacks an explainable source.

Elemental: Supernatural nature spirits that include fairies, trolls and banshees.

EVP: The abbreviation for “electronic voice phenomena,” which refers to noises of a paranormal nature that cannot be heard with the human ear but are recorded by electronic devices.

Ghost: Typically refers to the soul of a deceased human (or animal) that continues to exist in some form on an earthly plane without “crossing over.”

Inhuman Entity: A supernatural being -- such as a demon or jinn -- that did not begin its existence in human form.

Intelligent Haunting: Activity resulting from an aware ghost or spirit that interacts with its environment.

Orb: An often translucent, circular anomaly (or “ball of light”) seen in photography -- and sometimes with the naked eye -- that may be, depending on your theory, a bug, speck of dust, reflection, moisture or spirit energy.

Paranormal: Literally, “above normal,” it refers to anything outside or beyond current scientific explanation.

Paranormal Pop Culture: Term given to paranormal-themed movies, TV shows, comic books, video games, music and literature; also known as “entertainment of the unexplained.”

Pareidolia: Also known as “matrixing,” it is the brain’s perception of a meaningful pattern within random sounds or images.

Possession: The state where an entity inhabits and exerts a level of control over a living thing or object.

Preternatural: Instead of being connected to the spiritual realm, like supernatural matters, the preternatural applies to things that are of the natural world but currently unexplained.

Residual Haunting: Repetitive paranormal activity resulting from the energy imprint of a person or event in time.

Shadow Person: A commonly reported inky black humanoid entity that moves fast, it is often spotted out of the corner of the eye and has been interpreted to be anything from a ghost or demon to alien, time traveler or inter-dimensional being.

Spirit: As opposed to a ghost (see above), a spirit is normally the soul of the deceased that has crossed over and exists in a spiritual or metaphysical plane.

Supernatural: Typically referring to spiritual or religious matters, the laws of nature do not apply to this realm.

UFO: Abbreviation for “unidentified flying object” which does not necessarily apply to extraterrestrial or secret governmental commonly reported can be anything unknown spotted in the sky.                                                                    

Paranormal Investigator: One who investigates all things paranormal such as Ghosts, UFO's and urban legends.               

Urban Explorer: One who investigates anything abandoned such as buildings and Caves.