Etymology and uses of: things that go bump in the night

[7Critter]

Ever Wonder where the phrase originated. I did.

Meaning: used to describe anything unknown that might be frightening, especially a noise

Below are a few selected poems. There are many.

Poem - 2003

Title: Bump
Author: Spike Milligan

Things that go 'bump' in the night
Should not really give one a fright.
It's the hole in each ear
That lets in the fear,
That, and the absence of light!
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[7Critter]

Traditional Scottish Prayer - circa 1895

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
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[7Critter]

Poem
Title:
Author: Tango Tango

Things go bump in the night,
I wake with a sudden fright.
I'm fast asleep in my bed,
when there's a noise in my head.

Sitting up with a bound,
ears straining to hear the sound.
What is it, I think,
boy, I need a drink.

Is it the cat,
or maybe it's a rat.
There's not a sound to be heard,
what's that, it's the cry of a bird.
Go back to sleep you fool,
it's only the house starting to cool.
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[7Critter]

Poem
Title:Things That Go Bump in the Night
Author: Dwayne Leon Rankin

Do you hear a thumping pound,
A bumping sound heard all around?
Do you hear that frightful sound
Found within the night?

When you lie there fast asleep,
Do you dream of things that creep?
Things that crawl and at you leap
Causing you a fright?

The ticking of the hallway clock
That sounds more like a furtive knock.
Or the turning of a lock
Just outside your door.

Then come the sound of dragging feet,
New sounds of terror there to meet.
Inside now those footsteps beat,
Across your kitchen floor.

Then from that kitchen sink there brings,
Again new horrors in you rings.
As terror on you dripping, clings.
From that kitchen sink.

New threats await for you to know,
As all those sound within you grow.
And with those winds that outward blow,
From that fear you shrink.

From clocks that tick and floors that creek,
From faucets heard at night that leak.
When in the night, its sleep you seek,
You're destined now to fail.

For things that go bump in the night,
And bring to you such awful fright.
Within your mind, for lack of light, Your fear will then prevail.

Source: Things That Go Bump in the Night, a poem by Dwayne Leon Rankin, USA

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[7Critter]

Poem [perhaps my favorite because its how I might react]
Title: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Author: Graffiti Poet

I’ve never been one for being afraid,
Or running away from a fight,
But I shiver with fear, whenever I hear
Things that go bump in the night.

You can call me a fool, if I hear a ghoul
Creaking its foot on the stair,
I’m outta that place, at double quick pace
You’re not going to keep me in there.

I know they’re not real, it’s just how I feel
We all have our crosses to bear,
At the first chilly breeze, I’m down on my knees
Reciting the words of a prayer.

If I saw a ghost, what would frighten me most
Would be if they noticed me too,
I’d probably faint, seeing something that ain’t;
Something you shouldn’t see through.

The worst thing I’ve seen, in life or on screen
Is a poltergeist turning her head,
I kept on the light, for many a night
And always checked under my bed.

You may laugh and scoff, if it’s spooky I’m off
At the first sign of something not right,
It’s true what I’ve said, I’m afraid of the dead
And things that go bump in the night....

Source: Poem: Things that Go Bump in the Night


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[7Critter]

Other uses of the phrase ( with thanks to Wikipedia) :


"Things That Go Bump in the Night" (Dad's Army episode), a 1973 episode of the British television Dad's Army
"Things That Go Bump in the Night", a 1975 episode of the British TV sitcom Rising Damp
"Things That Go Bump in the Night", an episode of In a Heartbeat
"Things That Go Bump in the Night", an episode of Midsomer Murders
"Things That Go Bump in the Night", an episode of The Bill
Things That Go Bump in the Night, a 1989 TV film by Christine Cromwell starring Jaclyn Smith
Things That Go Bump in the Night, a 1960s band of which Eric Carr was a member
"Things That Go Bump in the Night", a song by allSTARS*
Things That Go Bump in the Night, a 1943 DC Comics story arc
Things That Go Bump In The Night, a New York Times bestselling book by Patrick Carman, also the first book in series 3:15
And Things That Go Bump in the Night, a play by Terrence McNally
Things That Go Pump in the Night, a 1990 music video by Aerosmith
Things That Go Bump In The Night Film Fest (Bump Fest), a film festival in Bay City, Michigan

hotlinks for above available here: Things That Go Bump in the Night - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[JoMama]

Exhaustive research, Christie.

I appreciate all you post!!

 

[Debi]

OK, everyone.....have YOU ever been scared by something that goes bump in the night? Be honest now! Have you ever jumped half out of your skin? I have! What scared you?

 

[Mokey]

OK, everyone.....have YOU ever been scared by something that goes bump in the night? Be honest now! Have you ever jumped half out of your skin? I have! What scared you?

When I was early teens I read amityville horror. I had to sleep with my back turned to the door and squeeze my eyes shut so I wouldn't see glowing red eyes.
I used to hate waking up for bathroom time at night because I was sure id see aliens in my house.

 

[Debi]

After all of the paranormal, supernatural run ins I've had, the one that did me in was the night of the moving closet door. I kept hearing the darn thing bump, bump, bump.....creeping toward it I decided to fling it open and confront what was there. Out comes a cat flying at me at high speed with a "MEEEOOOOOW" that was ear piercing! Yeah, that got the blood pumpin' and heart thumpin'! lol