poltern

Poltern is a German verb meaning to clatter, bang, or make a loud, disruptive noise. It describes physical sounds such as pots rattling on a stove or footsteps that suddenly thump through a room. The phrase es poltert is used to indicate that a noise is happening, often implying an abrupt, unsettled disturbance. In addition to its literal sense, poltern can be used in a figurative way to describe a noisy disturbance or uproar.

The root polter- appears in several German compounds tied to noise and disturbance. The most familiar is Poltergeist, referring to a noisy, mischievous spirit in folklore and paranormal reports. Another well-known term is Polterabend, a traditional pre-wedding celebration in German-speaking regions where guests smash porcelain to bring luck to the couple; the event name literally evokes the clattering sound of broken china.

In English-language contexts, poltern is rarely used outside discussions of German language or folklore. The concept of a noisy, disruptive haunting is more commonly described with poltergeist, while poltern itself remains primarily a linguistic or cultural reference within German. The word illustrates how German encodes sound symbolism in verbs and in the creation of related compounds.