Witches and Goblins, and Ghosts – Oh My!
As I was going
up the stair, I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. Oh,
how I wish he'd go away (Anonymous) … Boo!
What do we love
about being artificially* scared? The adrenaline rush? A heartbeat that
threatens to explode and lets us know we’re alive? The feeling of thankfulness
when we know it’s the end of a horror movie or scary amusement park ride?
Probably all of the
above. And Halloween is our
annual culmination of fun fear. Of course, there are many reasons to celebrate
Halloween, All Saints Day, and the fall harvest that have nothing to do with
fear. However, from skinned grapes (slimy eyeballs) to fake hairy spiders, we
revel in its celebration of …
BUGABOO (bugʹɘ bōō’) n. – a bugbear; 1) an
imaginary hobgoblin or terror used to frighten children into good conduct; 2)
anything causing seemingly needless or excessive fear or anxiety. [SPOOKY / WW #187
Though the
dictionary prefaces its definition with “bugbear,” that just doesn’t have the
same eerie sound to it, as bugaboo.
A likely product of the 16th century, its reputed to have two
possible origins—both which can cause unease.
“Bucca-boo,” an
early word for devil or specter thanks to the Cornish (Celtic), is bad enough, but “bugibu” which is closer in sound, defines an
evil demon that made its way into “Aliscans,” a mid-1100s
Medieval French poem.
Either way, bugaboo is a spooky dude to
beware of … or turn on the light to realize it’s just a shadow on the wall.
* I say
“artificially scared,” because there is nothing fun and exciting about real
fear. Yet, we seek fake fear in scream-queen movies, monster flicks, and of
course, Halloween. Go figure.
Word Challenge: BUGABOO. Reckon with your
fears of the season as you fit bugaboo into your week of terrifying
writings.
Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening!
Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s
your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay
Wednesday comments below.
Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by
trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of
three) in her Blast from Your Past
series, available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll
Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio
DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon, … The Psychedelic Seventies!
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
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