bogeyism

English

Alternative forms

• bogyism

Etymology

bogey +‎ -ism

Noun

bogeyism (uncountable)

1. Devilry; supernatural matters involving evil forces.
   • 1876, The Athenæum, page 495:

     The author seems to be a spiritualist, or, at least, to have a leaning to banshees and bogyism.

   • 1901, Electrical West, volumes 11-12, page 245:

     Thus is experience laying bogyism in its grave, and the darkness of fear and trepidation born of ignorance is day by day giving away before the light of the knowledge derived from the truly herculean transmissions of the West.

2. The portrayal of one's enemies as dreadful; scapegoating.