Bugbear

From Free net encyclopedia

For the Finnish video game studio, see Bugbear Entertainment.
For the Dungeons & Dragons creature, see Bugbear (Dungeons & Dragons)

A bugbear is a legendary creature comparable to the bogeyman, bogey, bugaboo, hobgoblin and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children. In a modern context, the term serves as a metaphor for something which is annoying or irritating. According to Webster's Dictionary, a bugbear is "an imaginary goblin or spectre used to excite fear", "an object or source of dread" or "a continuing source of irritation".

Other uses

"Bugbear" is also another term for scarecrow. In the role-playing game Kingdom of Loathing, bugbears are creature similar to small bears (although bipedal) which are used by knolls as guardians.

See also