[Ads-l] What's etymology of 'boogeyman'?

[Paul A Johnston, Jr]

"Boogeyman" isn't in OED, but the related "bogie" 1 is, as are "bogle", "boggart", "bug"1.  There is some uncertainty here, but the most probable etymology comes from Welsh "bwg" /bug/ which means a terrifying object or spirit.  There's a possible Germanic etymon too, but the evidence for a Welsh derivation looks better (to me).

Paul Johnston

----- Original Message -----
> From: "Meng Lu" <lumeng at GMAIL.COM>
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2015 12:45:47 AM
> Subject: What's etymology of 'boogeyman'?
> 
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Meng Lu <lumeng at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject:      What's etymology of 'boogeyman'?
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> I cannot find 'boogeyman' in Oxford English Dictionary. Any
> interesting
> thing to say about the word? What's the etymology? Is it still
> commonly
> used in modern English?
> 
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