From Flying Saucers to UAPs: The Evolution of UFO Terminology

Since the 1940s, unidentified flying objects have been referred to by various names, depending on the context and time period. These are some of the most common names for unidentified flying objects over the years, although there may be other, less widely-used terms. The terminology used often reflects the context, time period, and cultural factors surrounding the sightings.

Here is a list of some names that UFOs have gone by over the years:

1. Flying saucers: This term originated in 1947, after pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine unidentified flying objects near Mount Rainier, Washington. Arnold described the objects as moving “like a saucer if you skip it across water,” leading to the popularization of the term “flying saucers.”
2. UFO (Unidentified Flying Object): Coined in 1952 by U.S. Air Force Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, the term UFO replaced “flying saucers” as a more general and neutral descriptor for unexplained aerial objects.
3. UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena): Gaining prominence in the early 21st century, the term UAP is used as a more scientific and neutral alternative to UFO. The Condign Report, published by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2000, played a significant role in popularizing this term. Term was first used in 1949.
4. AAV (Anomalous Aerial Vehicles): This term has been used by some researchers and organizations to describe unexplained aerial objects that display characteristics not consistent with known aircraft or natural phenomena.
5. Flying discs: Similar to “flying saucers,” this term refers to UFOs with a disc-like shape.
6. Foo fighters: During World War II, pilots from various countries reported sightings of mysterious glowing orbs that followed their aircraft. These sightings were dubbed “foo fighters,” a term likely derived from a popular comic strip of the time.
7. Mysterious airships: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were reports of mysterious airship sightings in the United States, Europe, and Australasia. These were described as large, cigar-shaped craft with propellers and other features similar to dirigibles of the time, but their origins and purpose remained unexplained.
8. Ghost rockets: In the summer of 1946, primarily in Scandinavian countries, there were numerous reports of unidentified rocket-like or missile-like objects. These sightings were dubbed “ghost rockets” and sparked intense speculation about their origin.
9. Black triangles: In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there were reports of large, silent, triangular-shaped UFOs, often with lights at each corner. These sightings were sometimes referred to as “black triangles” or “silent triangles.”
10. Fastwalkers: This term is used in military and intelligence circles to describe objects that move rapidly across the sky, often displaying unconventional maneuvering capabilities. The term “fastwalker” originates from the U.S. military and intelligence community’s tracking of unidentified objects detected by satellites.
11. USOs (Unidentified Submersible Objects): This term refers to unidentified objects that are seen in or near bodies of water and appear to be capable of moving both above and below the surface.
12. Skyquakes: Sometimes called “mistpouffers” or “Seneca guns,” skyquakes are unexplained booming sounds that seem to come from the sky. While these phenomena are not always visually associated with unidentified flying objects, they have occasionally been linked to UFO sightings.
13. LITS (Low, Intensity Transient Signals): This term is used by some researchers to describe short-lived, low-intensity signals detected by radio telescopes or other equipment, which might be related to unidentified aerial phenomena.
14. Cigar-shaped UFOs: This term is used to describe unidentified flying objects that have a cylindrical or elongated shape, similar to a cigar. Sightings of these types of objects have been reported throughout history.
15. Silver orbs: This descriptor refers to spherical or round unidentified flying objects that appear to be metallic and shiny, often described as reflecting sunlight.
16. Night crawlers: This term is used to describe mysterious, slow-moving lights or objects seen in the sky at night, often exhibiting unconventional patterns of movement or behavior.
17. Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: is broader in scope than some of the other terms mentioned, as it can encompass not only aerial phenomena but also events or sightings occurring on land, underwater, or in other contexts. This term highlights the unknown and unexplained nature of the phenomena, making it a useful descriptor for a wide range of mysterious events.
18. Advanced Aerial Threats: This term has gained attention through the efforts of Tom DeLonge, former Blink-182 frontman, who shifted his focus to UFO research and disclosure. DeLonge’s efforts have contributed to the increasing legitimacy of UFO research and the acknowledgment of UFO phenomena as serious subjects of study.

CE (Close Encounters): This is a classification system developed by astronomer and ufologist J. Allen Hynek, which categorizes UFO sightings based on the degree of interaction between the observer and the UFO. The system includes the following categories:

• CE1 (Close Encounter of the First Kind): A sighting of a UFO, typically within 500 feet of the observer, but with no interaction between the observer and the UFO.
• CE2 (Close Encounter of the Second Kind): A sighting where the UFO has a physical effect on the environment or the observer, such as leaving marks on the ground, causing electronic interference, or causing physical discomfort to the observer.
• CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind): A sighting involving the observation of occupants or entities associated with the UFO.
• CE4 (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind): An abduction or involuntary interaction between the observer and the occupants or entities associated with the UFO.
• CE5 (Close Encounter of the Fifth Kind): A voluntary, conscious, and intentional interaction between the observer and the occupants or entities associated with the UFO.

The study of unidentified flying objects has evolved significantly over the years, with various terms and descriptions emerging to capture the enigmatic nature of these sightings. From the early days of mysterious airships and flying saucers to the more recent adoption of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, these terms reflect society’s ongoing fascination and desire to understand the unknown.