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Glite Dictionary
boogan

boogan

9.9
A small naughty creature in stories blamed for little pranks
  • noun
  • Literature
translation icon : duende
  • The children insisted a boogan was responsible for the missing cookies.

Examples

  • Old stories warn travelers not to anger a boogan in the woods.

  • Some say that every creaking floorboard is the work of a boogan up to mischief.

  • The boogan stole my lunch from the picnic table!

  • I think a boogan is responsible for this mess.

  • According to local legend, a boogan is known to play tricks on unsuspecting campers.

  • My grandmother always said that if you see shadows at night, it might be a boogan lurking around.

  • The children laughed as they told stories of the boogan that caused their toys to disappear.

Synonyms

goblin
vsboogan
  • Literature
105 8.3

A small, ugly creature that causes trouble for people

is blamed for minor mishaps and playful pranks rather than larger harms
boogeyman
vsboogan
  • Baby Talk
34 8.1

An imaginary monster adults mention to scare children into behaving

is instead blamed as a playful troublemaker for minor pranks
gremlin
vsboogan
  • Literature
23 8.3

An imaginary creature that secretly causes problems with machines and planes

is blamed for small everyday mishaps rather than machine specific faults
booger
vsboogan
  • Archaic
15 9.9

An imaginary creature parents mention to frighten children

is blamed for naughty minor mishaps rather than only used to frighten
boogum
vsboogan
  • Baby Talk
9.9

A pretend monster children imagine hiding in places like closets

is a folklore mischief figure blamed for small real troubles rather than play

Surface Forms

boogan singular
boogans plural

Etymology

The word boogan sounds like the old word bogeyman, which people used to blame for bad dreams or little troubles, so a helpful way to remember boogan is to think of a small spirit that causes 'mischief' and pranks.