Notes & Queries Archive
QUERY1850

Origin of word Bug

By J. P.

I should feel obliged by your informing me whether the word *Bug* is not of *Celtic* origin, signifying a “*Ghost* or *Goblin*?” Vide Shakespeare’s *Taming of the Shrew*, Act I. Scene II.:— “Tush, tush, fright boys with bugs.” And whether, in *Mathews*’ Bible, A.D. 1537, the 5th verse of the 91st Psalm is not thus rendered:— “Thou shalt not need to be afraid of any bugs by night”? literally, in the Hebrew, “*Terror* of the night.” [*Bug* in Welsh means a ghost or goblin. It is probably the same with the Icelandic *Paki*, an evil spirit. But on this etymology our correspondent can consult an ar…

Topics: Etymology, Popular Mythology, Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology