What does bogyman mean?
A bogeyman is a frightening imaginary figure, traditionally thought of as lurking outside or beneath a child's bed. The word may also describe a real person, organization, or issue that is presented as an especially serious threat, as when opponents accuse a policy of being a bogeyman tactic intended to scare people into compliance. Although the expression sounds like a traditional folk monster, it is now used chiefly in conversations about childhood fears, warnings, political rhetoric, and exaggerated threats. Its force comes from the idea of fear taking on a human form: a vague worry becomes a specific, supposedly menacing figure. The word is often informal and can be dismissive, implying that the alleged danger is theatrical or deliberately inflated. Both the one-word form bogeyman and the older spelling bogey man are common.
nounAn imaginary or deliberately invoked threatening figure, especially one used to frighten children. By extension, it refers to a person, group, or thing portrayed as a source of danger or trouble.
- An imaginary or deliberately invoked frightening figure, especially one used to frighten children.
- A person, group, or thing portrayed as a source of danger, blame, or trouble.
"The old bogeyman was supposed to appear outside children's bedrooms after dark."
"Don't let the bogeyman under the bed keep you awake."
"Opponents dismissed the proposed regulations as merely a bogeyman tactic meant to frighten businesses."
The regular plural takes -men; the spelling bogeymans is uncommon and generally avoided.
"The stories portrayed dishonest contractors as bogymen who preyed on nervous homeowners."
The bogeyman began as a ghost from folklore, but is now more often found in bedrooms, political speeches, and parental warnings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does bogyman come from?
Bogeyman emerged in the early 18th century by combining the older noun bogey, meaning a ghost or alarming specter, with man. The longer historical form bogey man was also used, and the modern closed form became standard. Bogey ultimately belongs to a family of older words associated with frightening or bewildering things, including boggle and bugbear.
How bogyman is actually used
The word is informal and often mildly dismissive. In political or public debate, calling something a bogeyman can suggest that a threat has been exaggerated or invented for effect.
Easily confused with bogyman
A bugbear is an object of fear or annoyance, whereas a bogeyman is usually a threatening person or imagined figure.
A bogey can itself mean a frightening imaginary creature, while bogeyman specifically suggests a person or ostensible source of danger.