will-o'-the-wisp

[Numenator]

will-o'-the-wisp . \wil-uh-thuh-WISP\ . (noun)<br>1 : a light that appears at night over marshy ground<br>*2 : a misleading or elusive goal or hope<br><br>Example sentence:<br>Though her friends think she's chasing a will-o'-the-wisp, Alexis is<br>determined to quit her job and follow her dream of becoming a pop music<br>star.<br><br>Did you know?<br>The will-o'-the-wisp is a flame-like phosphorescence caused by gases from<br>decaying plants in marshy areas. In olden days, it was personified as "Will<br>with the wisp," a sprite who carried a fleeting "wisp" of light. Foolish<br>travelers were said to try to follow the light and be led astray into the<br>marsh. (An 18th century fairy tale described Will as one "who bears the<br>wispy fire to trail the swains among the mire.") The light was first known,<br>and still also is, as "Ignis Fatuus," which in Latin means "foolish fire."<br>Eventually, the name "will-o'-the- wisp" was extended to any impractical or<br>unattainable goal.<br><br>*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.<br> <p>Written by<table border="0" width="513"><tr><td width="56"><b>RL</b></td><td width="82">Michael</td><td width="79"></td><td width="270"><a href="mailto:Tidoc@chello.at">Tidoc@chello.at</a>