Bogeyman

What it is

The bogeyman is a mythical creature used primarily to frighten children into good behaviour. It appears in many cultures worldwide, taking various forms shaped by local customs. Typically depicted as a monster, it is said to punish children for misbehaving or refusing to sleep. The term is sometimes used as a personification of terror or even the Devil itself.

Where it comes from

The word bogeyman dates back to the 15th century, though stories are likely older. It may derive from Middle English bugge or bogge, meaning a frightening specter. Cognates exist in many European languages, such as púca in Irish and bogle in Scots. The concept may have originated from hobgoblins described in 16th-century England, believed to torment humans.

How it is done

Authority figures invoke the bogeyman to discourage specific acts or general misbehaviour. In some cultures, parents sing lullabies warning children that the creature will come if they do not sleep. In Italy, parents may knock under a table pretending someone is at the door, claiming the black man has arrived to take a child who refuses to eat soup.

Tools and materials

Descriptions vary but often include dark, formless shapes, shapeshifting abilities, claws, talons, or sharp teeth. Some variants have animal features like horns or hooves. A common tool is a sack, used by variants like the Sack Man to stuff children inside. In Afghanistan, burning wild rue seeds is used for protection against the Madar-i-Al.

What it is for

The primary purpose is to enforce obedience and sleep habits in children. It serves as a cautionary figure to keep children away from danger, such as wandering into jungles or playing at night. In some traditions, it is also used to prevent children from eating certain foods or going to bed late.

Who does it

Households use the bogeyman as a disciplinary tool. Parents and caregivers invoke the threat to manage children's behaviour. No specific training is required, as it is a folkloric figure passed down through oral tradition and cultural practice.

Peoples and places

The bogeyman appears in many cultures. In Latin America, the Sack Man and El Coco are common. In Italy, Babau or l'uomo nero is used. German folklore features Butzemann and der schwarze Mann. Inuit religion includes the Ijiraq and Qallupilluit. Cantonese culture uses the aa1 wu1 po4, an ugly old woman figure.

What people believe

The bogeyman is generally viewed as a spirit or demon that harms children. Some variants are said to eat children or use their skin to mend coats. In Inuit belief, the Ijiraq kidnaps and abandons children, while the Qallupilluit carry them underwater. Beliefs vary widely, with some creatures being more benevolent protectors of nature.

When it is done

The bogeyman is invoked daily, particularly at bedtime or mealtime. In Canada, French Canadians warn children to be in bed by 7 pm to avoid the Seven O'Clock Man. In Italy, threats are made during dinner if a child refuses to eat. It is a constant presence in childhood discipline rather than tied to specific festivals.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Scholars note the global prevalence of the bogeyman myth, making its original source difficult to identify. It is studied as a cross-cultural phenomenon used for social control and child discipline. Anthropologists view it as a reflection of parental anxiety and the need to protect children from perceived dangers.

Compare and confuse

The bogeyman is similar to other threatening figures like Krampus, Baba Yaga, and the Sandman. Variants include El Cuco in Spain and Latin America, Babau in the Mediterranean, and Bicho Papão in Brazil. These figures share the common trait of punishing misbehaving children.

Law and persecution

There are no legal restrictions on telling bogeyman stories. It is a part of cultural heritage and folklore. No laws prohibit the use of these figures in storytelling or media.

Today

The bogeyman remains a popular figure in modern storytelling and media. Variants continue to be used by parents in various cultures to discipline children. The myth adapts to contemporary settings while retaining its core function as a tool for enforcing behaviour.

Questions people ask about Bogeyman

Good reading and sources

• Bogeyman on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data