re: Where did the false concept of “heat lightning” come from?

I mostly heard the term as a kid at the beach. Even in flat places like Louisiana, you normally have your vision blocked by trees, buildings, etc. But at the beach, you can see out over the water to the horizon. Because most of us were going to the beach in the dead of summer, it made some bit of sense.

As an adult, I know it’s not true, but I have a hard time blaming people for believing their eyes and ears without reliable data to the contrary.