[Ventriloquist with two puppets]

Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is a performance act of stagecraft in which a person creates the illusion that their voice is coming from elsewhere, usually, a puppeteered prop known as a "dummy", the art of speaking or singing in such a way that the sound appears to come from a source other than the person's mouth. The term "ventriloquism" comes from the Latin words "ventus" (belly) and "loqui" (to speak), and it literally means "to speak from the belly." Ventriloquism has a long history, with evidence of the practice dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In the Middle Ages, ventriloquism was associated with religious practices, and it was often performed by priests and other religious figures. In the modern era, ventriloquism has evolved into a form of entertainment, and it is performed by professional ventriloquists in a variety of settings, including stage shows, television, and film.