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bogle

(dialectal, dated) A scarecrow.

ˈbɒɡ.əlhistoricalCurrent222 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(dialectal, dated) A scarecrow.

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.
For parents

Bogle means: A scarecrow.. It is a dialectal or regional word and rarely appears in mainstream teen culture; usage usually points to a family, regional, or literary source rather than peer slang. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

bogle means: A scarecrow.. Register: regional or dialectal, informal. Not common in mainstream English; use only if you specifically want a regional or literary effect, otherwise the standard equivalent is safer. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

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

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.
Cluster: body
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, especially, Scotland) A goblin, imp, bogeyman, bugbear or similar a frightful being or phantom.

For ilka place I ha'e is already fu',But ae big room-'deed frien', I needna lie t'yneAn' that has long been haunted by a bogle
Origin: ; possibly cognate with , or. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Bogle means: A goblin, imp, bogeyman, bugbear or similar a frightful being or phantom.. It is mainly Scottish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

bogle means: A goblin, imp, bogeyman, bugbear or similar a frightful being or phantom.. Register: informal, Scottish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Heard in the wild
  • “"If your preference is managed funds, you want a managed fund that, one might put it, is like a sailboat fighting not a typhoon of costs but only a breeze." - John Bogle”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Bogle means: A scarecrow.. It is a dialectal or regional word and rarely appears in mainstream teen culture; usage usually points to a family, regional, or literary source rather than peer slang. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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