English

Noun

things that go bump in the night ‎(plural only)

1. (idiomatic) Frightening imagined creatures; ghosts or other supernatural beings.
   • 1940, "Life on the Newsfronts of the World," Life Magazine, 7 Oct., p. 32:

     Hellish new noises from new and secret British anti-aircraft devices vibrated last week through the din of London bombings. . . . [T]hey must have reminded Londoners of the old litany:

     From ghoulies and ghosties,

     Long leggety beasties

     And things that go bump in the night

     Good Lord, deliver us.

   • 1961, May Mackintosh, "If I Were a Witch," The Glasgow Herald, 27 Oct., p. 7:

     But most of all I recall the haunting magic of the lanterns and the whispered tales of ghosties, goblins, and things that go bump in the night with which we tried to frighten each other.