_Origin of word Bug_.--I should feel obliged by your informing
me whether the word _Bug_ is not of _Celtic_ origin, signifying
a "_Ghost_ or _Goblin_?" Vide Shakespeare's _Taming of the Shrew_,
Act I. Scene II.:--

"Tush, tush, fright boys with _bugs_."

And whether, in _Mathews'_ Bible, A.D. 1537, the 5th verse of
the 91st Psalm is not thus rendered:--

"Thou shalt not need to be afraid of any _bugs_ by night"?

literally, in the Hebrew, "_Terror_ of the night."

J.P.

[_Bug_ in Welsh means a ghost or goblin. It is probably the
same with the Icelandic _Paki_, an evil spirit. But on this
etymology our correspondent can consult an article by Sir F.
Palgrave, on the "Popular Mythology of the Middle Ages." in the
_Quarterly Review_, vol. xxii.; a paper, by Mr. Thoms, on the
"Folk Lore of Shakspeare," No. 6.; "Puck's several Names," in _The
Athenæum_, Oct. 9. 1847; and lastly, Mr. Keightley's most
interesting work, _The Fairy Mythology_. vol. ii. p. 118., of
which we are happy to hear that a new and enlarged edition may
shortly be expected.]

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