Afarin Rava: Bugbear

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Bugbear

Merriam-Webster's word of the day is

bugbear

pronounced BUG-bair

a noun

meaning a source of dread or irritation; in other words, something that causes problems or annoys people.

: an imaginary goblin or specter used to excite fear

: an object or source of dread

: a continuing source of irritation : PROBLEM

The bug in bugbear does not refer to an insect but, instead, comes from the Middle English word bugge, used for all kinds of imaginary spooky creatures, from ghosts and goblins to scarecrows, that cause fright or dread. In the 1500s this bug was combined with bear (as in the animal) to form bugbear and became an all-purpose word for things that cause fear or dread, not just supernatural beasties. This sense is still in use today, alongside the closely related sense of “a continuing source of irritation or annoyance.”

(taken from Merriam-Webster)

To see it in context or listen to the pronunciation, check the link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day (November 12, 2023).

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