Bogey
/ˈboʊ.ɡi/noun
An imaginary scary figure or a thing that causes fear; also a golf score of one over par.
Did you know?The fear-word bogey is linked to old British bogey/bogeyman traditions, and its exact origin is uncertain, but it clearly grew out of a spooky, personified scare figure rather than a formal ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
Early 19th Century
English
bogey
“A scarecrow-like bogey or imaginary goblin used to frighten children.”
19th Century
English
bogeyman
“A terrifying imaginary figure used to scare children into obedience.”
Late 19th Century
English
bogey
“In golf, a target score; later, one over par.”
Modern English
English
bogey
“A scary imaginary figure; also a golf score of one over par.”