Bugbear
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bugbear is a legendary creature or type of hobgoblin comparable to the bogeyman, bogey, bugaboo, and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children.[1] Its name is derived from an old Celtic word bug for evil spirit or goblin.[2] In medieval England, the Bugbear was depicted as a creepy bear that lurked in the woods to scare children; it was described in this manner in an English translation of a 1565 Italian Play The Buggbear.[2]
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[edit] As a metaphor
In a modern context, the term bugbear serves as a metaphor for something which is annoying or irritating.[1] It may also mean "pet peeve".[citation needed] Bugbear is also another term for scarecrow.[citation needed]
[edit] In popular culture
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Bugbears have appeared many times in popular culture. In the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons, bugbears are the largest of the various goblinoid races, and have appeared in every edition of the game from the 1975 Greyhawk Supplement of Original Dungeons and Dragons,[3] until the 2008 fourth edition.[4] They are vaguely bearish in appearance, being hairy and strong, but primarily just larger versions of the smaller, moderately more civilized compatriots.[3][4] In the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI, bugbears are a creation of the goblins through eugenics. Significantly larger and stronger than goblins, they also have enhanced senses that includes multiple eyes. They are implied to be second-class citizens that are relegated the jobs that require brute strength. They also appear in other Final Fantasy games as normal enemies.[citation needed] In the Super Famicom game, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable remakes of Tales of Phantasia, bugbears are a staple of enemies, resembling hairy bearish goblins with clubs.[citation needed] A Bugbear is also a hobgoblin like creature (taller and generally fatter) in Lineage I and Lineage II.
[edit] References
- ^ a b J. Simpson, E. Weiner (eds), ed (1989). "Raven". Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-861186-2.
- ^ a b Briggs, Katherine M. (1976). A Dictionary of Fairies. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin. p. 52. ISBN 0-14-00-4753-0.
- ^ a b Gygax, Gary and Robert Kuntz. Supplement I: Greyhawk (TSR, 1975)
- ^ a b Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)
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