In Appalachian and Southern folklore, "Booger Man" is the regional name for the boogeyman - a supernatural figure used to scare children or explain eerie happenings. It’s part of a rich ghost and haint tradition in the mountains and the South.
★ The Appalachian "Booger Man" is broader than the standard boogeyman - it can refer to ghosts, haints, witches, or shapeshifting creatures. It’s tied to a long oral tradition of scary tales told to children. ★
Origin and Etymology
From British "bogeyman" and "bugbear." Settlers brought the term to the American South, where it shifted to "booger man" in pronunciation. In Appalachia, "booger" became a catch-all for supernatural beings, feeding ghost stories and even the Cherokee "Booger Dance" tradition.
Usage Notes
Still part of Appalachian and Southern storytelling. "Booger Man" and "booger" may be used interchangeably for ghosts or haints in oral tradition. Outside the region, people usually say "boogeyman."
Booger Man - the main folklore figure or ghostly threat
Boogerman - variant spelling/pronunciation
Boogeyman - standard English term
Booger - in ghost tales, a scary presence or haint
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: often "the booger man" or "boogerman," with "booger" pronounced "boo-gur."
It’s the Southern/Appalachian version - same roots, but with richer local folklore.
Does "booger" always mean ghost?
No - see our "Booger" page for the slang sense meaning "troublesome thing" or "mischievous person."
Is the Booger Man still talked about today?
Yes - in stories, Halloween events, and as part of Appalachian cultural memory.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Booger Man. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/booger-man
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Booger Man." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/booger-man.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Booger Man." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/booger-man.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
I'd say 'Booger Man' is more of a old timers one. But I've heard it. 
