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