A bugbear is a legendary creature or type of hobgoblin comparable to the bogeyman, bogey, bugaboo, and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children.[1] Its name is derived from an old Celtic word bug for evil spirit or goblin.[2] In medieval England, the Bugbear was depicted as a creepy bear that lurked in the woods to scare children; it was described in this manner in an English translation of a 1565 Italian play The Buggbear.[2]
In a modern context, the term bugbear serves as a metaphor for something which is annoying or irritating.[1] It may also mean "pet peeve."[3] Bugbear is also another term for scarecrow.