bogle — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A goblin, imp, bogeyman, bugbear or similar a frightful being or phantom.

   Usage

   • Scotland
   • UK usage
   • especially

   Examples

   For ilka place I ha'e is already fu', But ae big room-'deed frien', I needna lie t'yne An' that has long been haunted by a bogle

   More examples (1)

   “Montgomery,” said I, “what was that thing that came after me? Was it a beast or was it a man?” “If you don’t sleep to-night,” he said, “you’ll be off your head to-morrow.” I stood up in front of him. “What was that thing that came after me?” I asked. He looked me squarely in the eyes, and twisted his mouth askew. His eyes, which had seemed animated a minute before, went dull. “From your account,” said he, “I’m thinking it was a bogle.” I felt a gust of intense irritation, which passed as quickly as it came. I flung myself into the chair again, and pressed my hands on my forehead. The puma began once more.

2. A scarecrow.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • dialectal

3. A Jamaican dance move that involves raising and lowering the arms while moving the body in a waving motion.

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   At the turn of the Nineties, the footballer Ian Wright would often celebrate his goals by running to the corner flag, and doing a ‘bogling’ move—the ‘bogle’ was a ragamuffin reggae dance then popular in the black community.

   In Jamaica, there's a constant stream of new moves, corresponding to big club tunes. Dancers race to put videos online in the hope of starting the next bogle, dutty wine or hot wuk sensation.