PoliticsAugust 10, 2026

bogeyman

BOH-gee-man

Definition

A person or thing that is used to cause groundless, irrational, or exaggerated fear in a group of people.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'bogge' or 'bugge', meaning a specter or goblin. The term evolved to describe a mythical creature used to scare children before taking on its modern political and metaphorical meaning.

In the news

The article describes Trump and the GOP using Abdul El-Sayed as a 'bogeyman' to represent progressive policies they want to frame as radical or dangerous. It is used here to highlight a political strategy of creating a focal point for voter fear.

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