boogerman

[ boo g-er-man, boo-ger- ]

/ ˈbʊg ərˌmæn, ˈbu gər- /

South Midland and Southern U.S. bogeyman.

Origin of boogerman

blend of booger and bogeyman

bogeyman

[ boo g-ee-man, boh-gee-, boo- ]

/ ˈbʊg iˌmæn, ˈboʊ gi-, ˈbu- /

an imaginary evil character of supernatural powers, especially a mythical hobgoblin supposed to carry off naughty children.

1885–90; bogey¹ (variant of bogy¹, in the sense “a hobgoblin, evil spirit”) + man¹

When the Boogerman came opposite Adelaide's hiding-place, she jumped up suddenly, aimed her gun and cried Bang!

The Bishop and the Boogerman |Joel Chandler Harris
Nothing could have been more innocent than the careless way in which they made their way toward the home of the Boogerman.

The Bishop and the Boogerman |Joel Chandler Harris
Ef we go on this way, the Boogerman will come along an' put us both in his wallet, an' then what'll we do?

The Bishop and the Boogerman |Joel Chandler Harris
"Make her git outdoors, an' take the fresh air," suggested the Boogerman.

The Bishop and the Boogerman |Joel Chandler Harris

Then whoever he caught would be the boogerman, till he caught somebody else.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves |Work Projects Administration

bogeyman

/ (ˈbəʊɡɪˌmæn) /

a person, real or imaginary, used as a threat, esp to children