The electric vocabulary

Since the 1600s, the developments in the understanding of electrical phenomena have frequently altered the models and metaphors used by physicists to describe and explain their experiments. However, to this day, certain relics of past theories still drench the vocabulary of the subject, serving as distracting fog for future students. This article attempts, through historical illumination, to shine through the mist of electrostatic terminology and offer a clearer view of the classical model of electricity. By exploring the historical perspective from figures like Thales to later developments, the article highlights how the terminology has evolved and how it can mislead current students. The findings suggest that a clearer understanding of historical context can help demystify concepts in electricity, ultimately benefiting educational practices. This exposition is crucial for improving pedagogical methods in physics education.