| Bugbear | |
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Real Name |
Bugbear |
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First Appearance |
English Folklore |
Origin[]
A bugbear is a legendary creature or type of hobgoblin comparable to the boogeyman (or bugaboo or babau or cucuy), and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children.
Its name is derived from the Middle English word "bugge" (a frightening thing), or perhaps the Old Welsh word bwg (evil spirit or goblin), or Old Scots bogill (goblin), and cognates most probably English "bogeyman" and "bugaboo".
Like the Bogeyman, bugbears vary wildly in appearance between different cultures and timeframes, though usually bugbears are depicted as large, frightening and/or ugly humanoid beasts with sharp teeth, claws, and horns, sometimes with tails thick, shaggy fur. In Medieval England it was described as being an actual bear, albeit a hideous and evil one. In almost all cases, bugbears were said to be monsters that lurked in forests or caves, and would kidnap and eat children who misbehaved or wandered off. These stories were primarily told to scare young children, encouraging them to behave and listen to their parents, as well as stay away from dark or dangerous places.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of the Bugbear from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Public Domain Stage Appearances[]
- La Spiritata (‘The Possessed [Woman]’, 1561)
Notes[]
- Many works of modern fantasy themed media today contain bugbears, where they are depicted as minor antagonists usually related to goblins and similar creatures— in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game series, for example, they are described as large, hulking, hairy goblinoids with large pointed ears and prominent underbites with sharp teeth.