swamp gas

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swamp gas

Where it comes from

* (hydrogen sulfide): So called because it is often emitted from wetlands such as swamps as a result of anaerobic bacteria, and is responsible for their foul “rotten egg” odor.

* (ufology): An explanation given by then-skeptic J. Allen Hynek for an alleged UFO sighting in Michigan near Lake Huron in 1966.

noun

literally, uncountable Gases emitted from a swamp. Swamp gas occasionally catches fire. Sometimes lightning sets off a patch of swamp gas.
Similar: bog gas, marsh gas, biogas
colloquial, uncountable Hydrogen sulfide.
Similar: rotten egg gas
sarcastic, uncountable A skeptical explanation that is provided in order to debunk a UFO sighting that a believer regards as ludicrous, illogical or disingenuous. He explained away an especially peculiar sighting with another helping of good old swamp gas.
Similar: weather balloon, pelicanist

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MLA

"swamp gas." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/swamp%20gas. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

swamp gas. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/swamp%20gas

Chicago

"swamp gas." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/swamp%20gas.

BibTeX

@misc{swamp_gas_2026,
  title = {swamp gas},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/swamp%20gas},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}