Ignis Fatuus

The light was first known, and still also is, as "Ignis Fatuus," which in Latin means "foolish fire."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day 2010

The light was first known, and still also is, as "Ignis Fatuus," which in Latin means "foolish fire."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day 2010

Of the Ignis Fatuus, he says that he has been tempted to pronounce it a delusion, but its appearance is too well authenticated to be doubted.

History of the University of North Carolina. Volume I: From its Beginning to the Death of President Swain, 1789-1868 Kemp Plummer 1907

Ignis Fatuus or the Occasional Bill in Minature, a Farce, as it was acted by his Excellency the Lord Gr ... il's Servants in Carolina.

The Consolidator or, Memoirs of Sundry Transactions from the World in the Moon Daniel Defoe 1696