[Star Wars] Forwarding a question from the Young Wizards Slack: When was the first time in the continuity a writer coined the term Force Ghost?

(apparently the fandom wikis aren't good at differentiating 'in universe chronology' and 'publishing/contribution order'?)

I’m pretty sure that I’ve seen the term “Force Ghost” used since at least the 90s.

Hmmm.
(I have read only a small number of EU books, so if it didn't come up in the OT or prequel films I am mostly stumped myself, but this seemed an interesting enough novelty question that I wanted to ask anyway.)

I want to say Zahn did it with his original Thrawn trilogy in the 90s?? But I’m willing to be proven wrong

^ That sounds valid. I mean, Force Ghosts themselves are from the OT, so the authors would need something to call the suckers when writing.

Right! There's 'first to appear'
but then there's it being recognized as such.

I am fairly sure that Zahn was the first to put 'Force Ghost' in writing in the 90's

paging c_for_characters

I've got the books, I'mma lookin'

Well I can say he doesn't use it when Obi-Wan's spirit appears in a dream.

I don't have searchable pdf versions, just the hardcovers.

If not these, I'd suggest Truce at Bakura as another potential candidate.

Oooo.
Thanks for the tips!

Alas, the individual asking does not have a taste for Zahn's writing. They did thank me for seeking the answer, though!