Bauk (Serbian:Баук,Serbian pronunciation:[bauk]) is ananimal-likemythical creature inSerbian mythology.[1] The bauk is described as hiding in dark places, holes, or abandoned houses, waiting to grab, carry away, and devour its victim; but it can be scared away by light and noise.[1] It has a clumsygait (calledbauljanje), and itsonomatopoeia isbau (Serbian pronunciation:[bau]).[1]
Interpretation of the bauk's attributes leads to the conclusion that the bauk is actually a description of realbears,[1] which were alreadyregionally extinct in some parts of Serbia and known only aslegend.[1] The word "bauk" was initially used as ahypocorism.[1]
Bauk is used as thetranslation forgoblin inSerbian editions of works ofJ. R. R. Tolkien, first translated by Mary andMilan Milišić.[2] Bauk is also used as the translation forthe Imp in theSerbian edition ofA Song of Ice and Fire series, translated by Nikola Pajvančić.[3] It's also used as theCroatian translation forBoggart in theHarry Potter book series.
In the cinematic reveal trailer for the upcoming video gameThe Witcher IV byPolish developerCD Projekt Red, the game's main protagonist,Ciri_of_Cintra, can be seen fighting a bauk.[4]
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