From UFOs to UAPs: Why the Words We Use Matter in the Search for the Unknown

Recently, someone commented on one of my articles, kindly pointing out that I had used the wrong version of UAP. Apparently, I should have written “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena” rather than “Unidentified Aerial Phenomena.” While it might seem like a minor detail, this small correction sparked my curiosity. What’s the real difference between these terms? And how did we get here, linguistically and culturally?

As someone new to the UAP research journey, I’m bound to make mistakes. But when I do, I see it as an opportunity to dive deeper and share my findings with others — because that’s how we all learn and grow.

So, let’s explore the history and context of these terms: UFO, UAP (Aerial), and UAP (Anomalous). Where did they come from? How have they been used in official documents? And most importantly, which term should you use today?

The Classic UFO: Where It All Began

The term Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) emerged in the 1950s, during a time when public fascination with extraterrestrial life was skyrocketing. It was first popularized by the U.S. Air Force as a neutral way to describe objects in the sky that couldn’t immediately be identified. This was a deliberate move away from the phrase “flying saucers,”…