bogeyman
UK[ˈbəʊɡimæn]US[ˈboʊɡimæn]
n
an imaginary evil spirit or frightening creature, especially one used to frighten children
n
a person or thing that is regarded as a source of fear, often unnecessarily
Morpheme Breakdown
bogey
man
bogey
a hobgoblin
man
a being
Etymology
The word 'bogeyman' is a compound formed from 'bogey', a term for a frightening specter or goblin, and 'man'. The first element, 'bogey', has a murky history but is probably related to the Middle English bugge, a general term for a terror-inspiring phantom. This root is also the ancestor of words like 'bugbear' and 'bogey' in golf. The second element, 'man', serves to personify this abstract fear into a specific, often human-like, agent of terror. Over time, the compound solidified to refer not just to a mythical monster used to discipline children, but also metaphorically to any perceived but often exaggerated threat.
Analysis
Structure: bogey (a hobgoblin) + man (a being)
'Bogey' is of uncertain origin, likely from Middle English bugge (a hobgoblin, scarecrow). 'Man' is from Old English mann (a person, human being), used here to denote a being or creature.
Examples
Parents sometimes warn their children that the bogeyman will come if they don't go to sleep.
In the debate, the opposing candidate was portrayed as a tax-raising bogeyman.
The old story described the bogeyman as hiding in dark closets.