The Boogeyman: Myths, Fears, and Cultural References

When people say, 'No, I think that thought is very cute,' or 'I used to think the boogeyman was an evil entity that dug into kids' noses until they bled to death,' they might be referring to the psychological and cultural influences that shape our childhood fears. The boogeyman, often depicted as a fearsome creature under the bed or in the dark, is a tale that has captivated and terrified generations of children. But what exactly is the boogeyman, and why do these fears persist?

The Etymology of the Boogeyman

The term 'boogeyman' is believed to have originated from the African-American English phrase 'boo-guigie' or 'boo-gyombo,' meaning an unidentifiable, often mischievous or frightening person. Over time, this term transformed into the boogeyman, which is used to symbolize any perceived fear or danger.

The Evolution of Childhood Fears

Childhood fears, such as the boogeyman, are often based on the things we can't understand or control. For example, as a child, I feared the boogeyman because I couldn't comprehend why grown-ups would suddenly start dancing in public. My fears were more grounded in the unimaginable—like the unknown, the shadows, and my own unconscious thoughts triggering reactions in my mind. The boogeyman, in this context, was just a personified version of these fears that was put to a name long ago.

Pop Culture and the Boogeyman

Trivia: 'I’m your boogie man that’s what I am. KC and the Sunshine Band'

The boogeyman has made its way into popular culture, including movies, TV shows, and music. One notable example is when the boogeyman was referenced in the popular 1980s cartoon The Ghostbusters. The boogeyman in this context was a threat oneself wanted to eliminate with tools like crosses and stakes. Similarly, my fears as a child were often resolved with weapons such as a broom to 'stab' the boogeyman under the bed.

My Personal Experience with the Boogeyman

One particular instance of being scared of the boogeyman was when my mother's date tried to scare me to bed. He said, 'If you don’t go to bed, the boogeyman will come and get you.' This was clearly an attempt to scare me into compliance, but it backfired. I stood up for myself, saying, 'What kind of man tells a little girl there’s a bad scary man creeping around and expects her to go to bed alone after that?' It must have been effective because she ended the date and I never saw him again.

Other Childhood Fears and Phobias

While the boogeyman is a common fear, I, personally, never feared him as much as I did Jaws. When the boogeyman card was pulled on me, I would get a running start and do a flying leap into bed, landing in a somersault to avoid any appendages touching the sides where a shark might rise up and bite them off. The thought of a ten-ton shark hiding under my bed made perfect sense to me.

Interestingly, I had no issue with sleeping on a huge bearskin rug, complete with a head and claws. I also had no problem with my Bozo the clown doll. But when it came to a shark, something didn't add up. I had a fish tank, and I knew that fish needed water to breathe. Yet, I was still afraid. Perhaps it was the unknown or the deep, irrational fear of the ocean and its dangers that made the boogeyman seem more plausible to me.

In conclusion, the boogeyman is just one of the many fears that children face. These fears are often based on the unknown and the unknown is what makes them so terrifying. The boogeyman, whether from a cartoon or a bedtime story, serves as a reminder of our childhood fears and the power of our imaginations.

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Conclusion

By understanding the roots of our fears and how they evolve, we can begin to conquer our fears and revel in the innocence of childhood.