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See also: bugaboo

Possibly from a (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "cel" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. term such as (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Cornish buccaboo (“devil”). Alternatively, bug +‎ a +‎ boo.

bug-a-boo (plural bug-a-boos)

A mythical, nocturnal creature; a hobgoblin.
- 1776, William Kenrick, London review of English and foreign literature‎^[1], page 316:
  The German ubu, as well as the French bibou, is also used for bug-a-boo, hobgoblin, or any other fantastical, terrific nocturnal object.
Any imagined fear or threat, or a fear presumed larger than it really is.
- 1949 - George R. Stewart Earth Abides, p. 80
  ...a fear had come upon them, and they had a kind of bug-a-boo terror about roving gangsters.
- 2008, Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds‎^[2], →ISBN Invalid ISBN, page 543:
  There is the Goody-good Bug-a-boo, the Consistency Bug-a-boo, and the Bug-a-boo that Thomas Jefferson if he were living now, would never never ride in a carriage.
  Each of these bug-a-boos in the general mistiness and muddleheadedness of the time can be seen going about, saying "Boo! Boo!" to this democracy ...

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 ===Etymology===
-Possibly from a {{etyl|cel|en}} term such as {{etyl|kw|en}} {{m|kw|buccaboo||devil}}. Alternatively, {{compound|bug|a|boo|lang=en}}.
+Possibly from a {{etyl|cel|en}} term such as {{etyl|kw|en}} {{m|kw|buccaboo||devil}}. Alternatively, {{compound|en|bug|a|boo}}.
 ===Pronunciation===