bugaboo Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an imaginary monster used to frighten children
    booger; boogeyman; bogeyman; bugbear.
  2. noun a source of concern
    • the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them

WordNet

Bug`a*boo", Bug"bear` noun (Also<
  • Bugaboo
  • Bugbear
)
Etymology
See Bug.
Definitions
  1. Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright ye." Lloyd.
    But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate. Pope.
    The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. S. B. Griffin.
    The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. J. Burroughs.
    Syn. -- Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow.

Webster 1913