Formerly -bone. A phrase used, generally in conjunction with Rawhead, as the name of a bug-bear to terrify children; also fig. ‘bug-bear, terror.’ (Possibly associated with the apparition of a murdered man supposed to haunt the scene of his murder.)
c. 1550. Wyll of Deuyll (Collier), 13. Our faythfull Secretaryes, Hobgoblyn and Blooddybone.
1598. Florio, Mani … imagined spirits that nurces fraie their babes withall to make them leaue crying, as we say bug-beare, or els rawe head and bloodie bone.
1622. Fletcher, Prophetess, IV. v. But now I look Like Bloody-Bone and Raw-head, to frighten children.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 77. To terrify those mighty Champions, As we do children now with Bloody-bones.
1817. T. Jefferson, Corr. (1830), 301. Hancock and the Adamses were the raw-head and bloody bones of Tories and traitors.
1827. T. Hamilton, Cyril Thornton, III. 214. As if he had come home to you a mere Rawhead and Bloodybones.
