The spelling of the word "Bogeys" is often confusing for English learners due to the irregularity of the English language. According to IPA phonetic transcription, "Bogeys" is pronounced as /ˈbəʊɡiz/ with the stress on the first syllable. The word is derived from the Scottish term "bogle" meaning ghost or goblin, and is used in golf to denote a score of one over par on a hole. So, if you're on the golf course and hear someone mention "bogeys", now you know what they're talking about!
Bogeys, in the context of golf, are a scorekeeping term that refers to the number of strokes a golfer is expected to require to complete a hole or a round. In more general terms, a bogey is a golf score that is one stroke over par on a hole. Par is the number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or a round.
The concept of bogeys comes from the British slang term "bogey," which means a ghost or an apparition. In the early 20th century, golfers used the term "bogey" to refer to a score that was one stroke over par, representing a kind of elusive and challenging standard to achieve. Over time, bogeys became a common way to appraise and compare individual players' performance.
The term "bogey" can also have a broader meaning in golf, referring to a score that is generally higher than expected for a particular hole, round, or tournament. For instance, a "double-bogey" represents a score two strokes over par on a hole, while "triple-bogey" signifies a score of three strokes over par. The term can also be used figuratively outside of golf to imply that a person is struggling or having difficulty achieving a specific objective.
The word "bogey" has multiple origins and meanings, depending on the context. Here are two common uses of the term and their etymologies:
1. Bogeys as mythical creatures/spirits (e.g., Bogeyman): The term "bogey" in this sense originated from the Middle English word "bugge" or "bogge", which referred to a specter or ghostly apparition. Over time, this evolved into "bogey" or "bogeyman". These mythical creatures are often used to scare children.
2. Bogeys in golf: The term "bogey" in relation to golf has a different origin. It originated in the late 19th century from the British slang word "bogey", which meant "on par". In 1890, a score of one over par was referred to as a "bogey".