scarebug

English

Alternative forms

• scare-bug

Etymology

scare +‎ bug

Noun

scarebug (plural scarebugs)

1. (obsolete) A bugbear; an imaginary monster to frighten children.
   • 1862, Samuel Ward, Sermons and treatises, page 60:

     Is hell but a name and word, a scarebug for to keep fools in awe?

   • 1912, Israel Zangwill, The Next Religion: A Play in Three Acts, page 50:

     You can't fright me with your scarebugs. I'm going to be cremated. That's real ashes to ashes.

   • 1921, Edmund Peyton Lowe, American Principles, page 88:

     The argument is a mere scarebug of the opposition.

   • 1961, T. B. Cunha, Goa's Freedom Struggle: Selected Writings of T. B. Cunha, page 87:

     As for painting, we have the portraits of Viceroys exhibited in the Government Council Hall, monstrous scarebugs made in series which may serve to terrorise our councillors.