Ouija

The popular belief that the word came from French oui (“yes”) + German ja (“yes”) is a misconception. The name is taken from a word spelled out on the board when it was asked to name itself by Helen Peters, sister-in-law of Kennard Company investor Elijah Bond. It is noted in personal letters that Ouija was the name of a woman in a painting above her head at the time, who it is speculated may have in fact been Ouida.

• IPA^(key): /ˈwiːd͡ʒə/, /ˈwiːd͡ʒi/
• Rhymes: -iːdʒə

Ouija (countable and uncountable, plural Ouijas)

1. (countable) A board, having letters of the alphabet and the words yes and no; used with a planchette during a seance to "communicate" with spirits.
2. (uncountable) The use of such a board to attempt to communicate with spirits.

• (board used to communicate with spirits): Ouija board, spirit board, talking board

• ideomotor effect