Boogeyman
/ˈbuː.ɡiˌmæn/noun
A frightening imaginary figure used to scare children or represent a vague threat.
Did you know?The word is tied to older English forms like bugge and bogey, which were used for a scarecrow, a goblin, or a frightening phantom long before modern horror made him famous.
Etymological Timeline
Early Middle English
English
bugge
“A frightening thing, scarecrow, or goblin-like object”
14th–15th Century
English
bogge / bogey
“A terrifying phantom or goblin”
16th Century
English
bugbear
“An imaginary hobgoblin used to frighten children; later, a source of fear or annoyance”
19th Century
English
boogeyman
“A personified imaginary figure used to scare children”