Research: Etymology of Jump-Scare
 

Hello!

I'm a Digital Arts Student from Austria (please excuse my poor english!) and I need some help for a research on the term "Jump-Scare".

Does anybody know who used this term first?
I already read a lot of articles but couldn't find anything about the origin.

I also want to know if there is an earlier use of a Jump-Scare in a sound film before the stalk scene in "Cat People". In silent films i think it would be "How It Feels To Be Run Over" (1900) and within the genre "Horror" the mask scene in "Phantom of the Opera".

Any help would be highly appreciated!

Many Thanks in advance!

Exorcist (73) is one of the earlier-than-that examples that come to mind - both with the demonic face, and the sudden phone ringing after an ambiguously quiet scene.

...Then they started using startled/hissing cats, in every movie ever.

Many Thanks for your reply!

I forgot to mention that its "Cat People" from 1942.
IMDB LINK:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034587/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2