If you’ve ever binged Game of Thrones , read The Lord of the Rings , or even stumbled across old English poetry, you may have asked: “What does wight mean?” In American pop culture, the word pops up in fantasy novels, video games, and even online slang. But its history goes far deeper than most of us realize. Today, let’s break down the origins, meanings, and modern uses of “wight” — and why it still captures our imagination in the U.S. What Does "Wight" Mean? A Quick Answer In simple terms, “wight” originally meant a person, creature, or living being. Over centuries, the word shifted to describe ghostly or supernatural beings , especially in fantasy and horror stories. The Origins of "Wight" in English Old English Roots : The word comes from the Old English wiht , which just meant “thing” or “creature.” Middle Ages : By medieval times, it often referred to humans, sometimes with a tone of respect or pity (e.g., “a poor wight”). Modern Fantasy : Thanks to...