Boogeymen: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ป
boogeymen
[ หbuหษกษชหmษn ]
mythical creatures
Boogeymen are mythical creatures often used by adults to frighten children into behaving. They are typically described as malevolent beings that lurk in the dark or under beds, waiting to scare or punish misbehaving children. The boogeyman concept varies significantly across cultures, with different names and characteristics assigned to this figure. Despite being a figure of fear, boogeymen also serve as a means to reinforce moral lessons and social behavior among children.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The child was afraid of the boogeyman hiding in the closet.
- Parents often mention boogeymen to encourage kids to go to bed early.
- Stories of boogeymen are popular in many cultures.
- He told tales of the boogeyman to make the children laugh.
Translations
Translations of the word "boogeymen" in other languages:
๐ต๐น bicho-papรฃo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคญเฅเคค
๐ฉ๐ช Schreckgespenst
๐ฎ๐ฉ hantu
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะพัะณัะท
๐ต๐ฑ bajka
๐ฏ๐ต ใใฐใ
๐ซ๐ท monstre
๐ช๐ธ coco
๐น๐ท korkunรง yaratฤฑk
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ๋ น
๐ธ๐ฆ ุดุจุญ
๐จ๐ฟ straลกidlo
๐ธ๐ฐ straลกidlo
๐จ๐ณ ้ฌผๆช
๐ธ๐ฎ strah
๐ฎ๐ธ martrรถรฐ
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถัะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แจแแจแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ ลeytan
๐ฒ๐ฝ monstruo
Etymology
The term 'boogeyman' has its roots in the mid-19th century, derived from the word 'bogey' which is an English colloquial term for a ghost or a monster. The notion of a frightening figure designed to scare children can be traced back to various cultural beliefs around the world. For instance, in British folklore, 'bogey' referred to a goblin or an evil spirit. The boogeyman's purpose was often to enforce behavioral norms and serve as a cautionary tale for children. Over time, the character evolved, taking on different forms and names in various cultures such as 'El Cucuy' in Latin America and 'La Llorona'. This adaptability has allowed the boogeyman to persist in popular culture, contributing to its prominence in children's stories and modern media, often representing the fears and anxieties of childhood.