bugaboo

bug·a·boo  (bg-b)

n. pl. bug·a·boos

1. An object of obsessive, usually exaggerated fear or anxiety: "Boredom, laziness and failure . . . These bugaboos, magnified by imagination, keep [the workaholic] running" (Dun's Review).

2. A recurring or persistent problem: "the bugaboos that have plagued vision systems: high price and slow throughput" (Lawrence A. Goshorn).

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[Perhaps of Celtic origin.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	bugaboo - an imaginary monster used to frighten children bogeyman, booger, boogeyman, bugbear monster - an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
	2.	bugaboo - a source of concern; "the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them" headache, worry, vexation, concern - something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness; "New York traffic is a constant concern"; "it's a major worry"