This article is from 2021 and may be outdated. We're working on restoring a newer version.
The term “ghost hunter” is slang. The person is hunting for evidence of ghosts.
It’s an old expression. I’ve seen it used in the early 1890s. I think it’s far older than that.
So, don’t think a TV producer invented the phrase.
The Ghost Hunters™ TV series re-popularized the phrase in the early 21st century. The phrase is trademarked, but only for the TV series and products directly related to the show.
The stars of the Ghost Hunters TV series are from a research group called TAPS, The Atlantic Paranormal Society. It was around long before the TV series started. They have their own website, separate from the TV show.
As far as I know, nobody actually “hunts” ghost. It’s not like hunting game for dinner. (Some people hunt demons, but that’s a different field.)
Would you like to become a ghost hunter? Do you have questions about ghosts and paranormal phenomena? If so, ghost hunting may help you find answers.
Your research may be tedious and time-consuming. Many investigations involve uncomfortable settings. The work can be fascinating. Sometimes, it’s exhilarating. However, it’s still work. It’s rarely relaxing.
If you’re more interested in being entertained, try ghost tours. They’re fun. Many are theatrical performances. Others may reveal actual ghosts.
You might also like John Sabol’s presentations. What’s going on in front of you is real. It’s often extreme and fast-paced. It’s very different than typical ghost hunts.
If you’re not sure, sign up for some ghost hunting events. Try several. No two are exactly alike.
Some researchers and psychics are more credible than others. (I can vouch for Gordon Ellison, Lesley Marden, Sean Paradis, and David Wells, among others.)
The key is whether you have unanswered questions, or if you’re looking for entertainment.