Hobgoblin
/ˈhɒbˌɡɒblɪn/noun
A mischievous or ugly goblin-like creature in folklore; by extension, a source of fear or a petty obsession.
Did you know?The first element, hob, was a familiar English name for a sprite or rustic spirit, and hobgoblin literally combines that with goblin—so the word is basically a doubled-up little monster name.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
hobbe goblyn
“a goblin-like sprite or mischievous spirit”
16th Century
English
hobgoblin
“a household spirit, sprite, or frightening goblin”
Late 16th Century
English
hobgoblin
“a bogeyman or imaginary being used to frighten children”
Modern English
English
hobgoblin
“a mischievous goblin-like creature; also, a petty obsession or nuisance”