...And another new word.

Question

Juan Pestañas. I'll let you all guess at what this one means.

Answer 1

In the UK and Northern Europe the Sandman sprinkles dust or sand on children's eyes to help them sleep and have sweet dreams. I assume Mexican children are visited by Juan. Scary?

Yes Mr. Sandman. - gringojrf, Jan 16, 2015

Answer 2

Here, the Sandman is a good thing. We also have the Boogeyman who comes if you're bad.

Now looking him up on Google, he seems to be more like Mr. Rogers here in the states.

:) - ian-hill, Jan 16, 2015

You inspired me to look up "boogyeman" and essentially there is the idea of a man or old man with a large sack - presumably to put children in. - Jubilado, Jan 16, 2015

Answer 3

From the gist of this video, I get that Juan Pestañas comes is giver of sleep in Mexico. I can't think of what or who we call it in English.

Video Juan Pestañas

You have the concept now we need the name. - gringojrf, Jan 16, 2015

Thanks for the video. - gringojrf, Jan 16, 2015

I think someone said "sandman" - Daniela2041, Jan 16, 2015

Por supuesto, Dani. Esto es correcto! - sanlee, Jan 17, 2015

You're welcome, Gringorf! - sanlee, Jan 17, 2015

Answer 4

Bogeyman (Boogeyman ) could be corruption of "Bony" which was the nickname

of Napoleon Bonaparte , he was used to frighten children in the 1800s.

It could also have come from the Bahasa Malasia -"Bugis man" -"pirates".