Bugbear (Dungeons & Dragons)

Bugbear
Characteristics
Alignment	Usually Chaotic Evil
Type	Humanoid (Goblinoid)
Image	Wizards.com image
Stats
Publication history
First appearance	Greyhawk (1975)
Mythological origins	Bugbear

The bugbear is a type of fictional monster in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

A bugbear is depicted as a massive humanoid distantly related to goblins and hobgoblins. Named for the bugbear of legend, the bugbears of Dungeons & Dragons are goblinoid creatures, larger and stronger than hobgoblins.

Gary Gygax adapted the bugbear, and introduced the creature to the game in the 1975 Greyhawk supplement; the creature has since appeared in every subsequent edition of the game, including the game's first edition, second edition, third edition, fourth edition, and fifth edition.

A bugbear, also called a "boogerbear," is a legendary creature comparable to the bogeyman, bogey, bugaboo, hobgoblin and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children. In medieval England, for instance, the Bugbear was a creepy and gigantic bear that lurked in the woods; children were warned not to stray too far from home or misbehave, for "the Bugbear will get you." In a modern context, the term bugbear serves as a metaphor for something which is annoying or irritating.

According to Webster's Dictionary, a bugbear is "an imaginary goblin or spectre used to excite fear," "an object or source of dread," or "a continuing source of irritation."

The bugbear as it exists in the D&D game was created by Gary Gygax and was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975). They are described as great hairy goblin-giants.

...
Wikipedia