BUGABOO

bugaboo

(noun) a source of concern; “the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them”

bogeyman, bugbear, bugaboo, boogeyman, booger

(noun) an imaginary monster used to frighten children

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Noun

bugaboo (plural bugaboos)

Alternative spelling of bug-a-boo

Source: Wiktionary

Bug`a*boo", Bug"bear`, n. Etym: [See Bug.]

Definition: Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright ye." Lloyd. But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate. Pope. The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. S. B. Griffin. The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. J. Burroughs.

Syn.

– Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition