Bogey or bogie? Both spellings are real words, but they are not always interchangeable. In golf, the standard spelling is “bogey,” meaning one stroke over par on a hole. For the wheeled undercarriage of a train, “bogie” is the standard spelling, especially in British English.
The confusion exists because the two words share a pronunciation and a shaky family history. Dictionaries list them as variants of each other in some senses, and each also carries meanings the other rarely does. This guide sorts out which to use, when, and why.
Quick Answer: Bogey vs Bogie
| Context | Preferred spelling | Meaning |
| Golf score | Bogey | One stroke over par |
| Train or railcar part | Bogie | Wheeled frame under a vehicle |
| Nose mucus (informal) | Bogey | Dried mucus from the nose |
| Feared thing or person | Bogey | Something that causes dread |
| Unidentified aircraft | Bogey | A radar contact not yet identified |
| Humphrey Bogart’s nickname | Bogie | Informal name for the actor |
💡 Tip: If you are talking about golf, use bogey. If you are talking about trains, use bogie.
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What Does Bogey Mean?
“Bogey” has several meanings. Each is separate, so it helps to take them one at a time.
Bogey in Golf
In golf, a bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a single hole. If a hole is a par 4 and you take 5 strokes, you made a bogey. Golfers also say they “bogeyed” the hole.
Scores above a bogey have their own names:
| Term | Strokes over par | Example on a par 4 |
| Bogey | 1 | 5 strokes |
| Double bogey | 2 | 6 strokes |
| Triple bogey | 3 | 7 strokes |
A double bogey means two strokes over par, so it is a worse result than a bogey. Most casual golfers see a few bogeys in every round. Beginners often see double bogeys too.
Bogey also appears in the phrase “bogey golf.” This describes a level of play where a golfer averages about one stroke over par per hole. A “bogey golfer” is usually an average club player.
Example: “I played well, but I bogeyed the last two holes.”
Bogey as a Feared Thing
Outside golf, a bogey can be something that frightens or worries you. People often call this a “bogey” in a figurative way. Related terms include “bogeyman” and “bogey person.”
Example: “Rising prices remain the main bogey for voters.”
Bogey in Slang
In informal British English, “bogey” can mean dried mucus from the nose. Americans more often say “booger.” Both words are casual and best kept out of formal writing.
Bogey in the Military and Aviation
In aviation and air defense, a bogey is an unidentified aircraft detected on radar. It may turn out to be friendly or hostile. Once identified, it gets a different label.
What Does Bogie Mean?
“Bogie” also has several meanings.
Bogie on a Train
A bogie is a frame with wheels that sits under a railway car or locomotive. It pivots so the train can take curves smoothly. In the United States, this part is usually called a “truck.” American readers will still see “bogie” in technical writing, imports, and model railway forums.
Example: “The railway replaced the worn bogies on each coach.”
The plural of the railway term is bogies.
Bogie Wheels
Bogie wheels are small wheels mounted on a suspension frame. You will find them on tracked vehicles. Snowmobiles and some tanks use them to carry weight along the track.
Rocker Bogie Suspension
Rocker bogie suspension is a design for vehicles that must cross rough ground. NASA’s Mars rovers use this system. It lets all six wheels stay in contact with uneven terrain.
Bogie as a Nickname
“Bogie” is the well known nickname of the actor Humphrey Bogart. The phrase “Bogie and Bacall” refers to Bogart and his wife, the actress Lauren Bacall. Here the spelling “bogie” is a nickname and not a common noun.
⚠️ Note: People who share the surname Bogie are a separate matter. These are proper names and have nothing to do with the word meanings in this article. For details about any specific person, check a current, reliable source.
Bogie in Golf
Some golfers, especially in Britain, spell the golf term “bogie.” It appears in older books and some regional writing. Today, “bogey” is the standard golf spelling in both American and British English, so use that one.
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Why Are There Two Spellings?
The two words are close cousins in sound, and their histories overlap. Dictionaries treat some senses as variants of each other. That is why you can find “bogie” for a golf score in older texts and “bogey” for a railway part in careless writing.
The key rule is simple: follow the standard spelling for each meaning. Editors and style guides expect it. Using the wrong one will not change the meaning in most cases, but it can look like a mistake.
Bogey or Bogie: Pronunciation
Both words sound almost the same.
- Bogey: BOH-ghee
- Bogie: BOH-ghee
IPA: /ˈboʊɡi/ in American English. British pronunciation is similar, with a slightly different vowel sound.
The stress falls on the first syllable. Both end in a short “ee” sound. The word “booger” is different and sounds like BOO-ger.
Origin of Bogey
The golf meaning has an interesting story. According to the commonly told account, it began in Britain in the 1890s. A popular music hall song about a character called “the Bogey Man” was in the air. Golfers at a club began calling the ideal score on a hole “Colonel Bogey.” This imaginary opponent played a perfect game every time.
At first, “bogey” meant what we now call par. Later, “par” became the standard term for the ideal score. “Bogey” then slid to mean one stroke over par. This change is more established in the United States, where the term settled into its current golf meaning.
The wider word “bogey,” meaning a ghost or feared thing, is much older. It links to “bogeyman” and similar words in several English dialects. Its exact roots are not clear, and historians of language disagree about parts of its early history.
The Colonel Bogey March
“Colonel Bogey” is also the name of a famous military march. It was composed in 1914 by Kenneth Alford, the pen name of British bandmaster F. J. Ricketts. The march is said to have been inspired by a golfer who whistled a two note tune instead of shouting “Fore.”
Many people know the tune from the 1957 film The Bridge on the River Kwai. Soldiers whistle it in the movie. The golf link between the march and the word “bogey” shows how closely the word is tied to the game.
Origin of Bogie
The railway meaning is first recorded in the 1800s. Its roots are less clear than those of “bogey.” Some references link it to northern English dialect words for a low cart or wheeled frame. Others say the origin is unknown. The safest answer is that the exact source is uncertain.
Common Mistakes
Using “bogie” for a golf score
❌ Incorrect: “I made a bogie on the fourth hole.”
✅ Correct: “I made a bogey on the fourth hole.”
The standard golf spelling is bogey.
Using “bogey” for a railway part
❌ Incorrect: “The train needs a new bogey.”
✅ Correct: “The train needs a new bogie.”
The standard railway spelling is bogie.
Wrong plural forms
❌ Incorrect: “He made three bogies.”
✅ Correct: “He made three bogeys.”
For the golf meaning, the plural is bogeys. For the railway meaning, it is bogies.
Mixing up “bogey” and “booger”
“Booger” is mostly American slang for nasal mucus. “Bogey” is the older British slang. They are related in sense, but they are different words.
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Bogey and Bogie in a Sentence
- Golf: “She saved par on the last hole after two bogeys.”
- Railway: “Each bogie carries two axles.”
- Figurative: “Debt has always been his bogey.”
- Aviation: “Radar shows a bogey at ten miles.”
Word Forms
| Form | Bogey | Bogie |
| Noun, singular | bogey | bogie |
| Noun, plural | bogeys | bogies |
| Verb, present | bogey | not common |
| Verb, past | bogeyed | not common |
“Bogey” works as both a noun and a verb in golf. You can say “He bogeyed the hole.” “Bogie” is mostly a noun.
Similar and Related Words
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
| Par | The expected number of strokes on a hole | Bogey is one over par |
| Birdie | One stroke under par | Opposite direction from bogey |
| Eagle | Two strokes under par | Better than a birdie |
| Bogeyman | A frightening imaginary figure | Related to the feared thing sense |
| Truck | American railway term for a bogie | Same part, different name |
| Bogart | Verb meaning to hog something | Comes from the actor’s name |
The verb “bogart” is slang. It means to keep something for yourself, often a cigarette or joint. It comes from the screen image of Humphrey Bogart. People sometimes mix it up with “bogey,” but it is a separate word.
Is It “Bogey” or “Bogie” in the United States?
In American English, “bogey” is the usual spelling for golf. For railways, Americans typically say “truck.” If an American writer does use “bogie,” it usually refers to the actor’s nickname or a technical railway context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bogey or bogie in golf?
Bogey is the standard spelling. “Bogie” appears occasionally in older or regional writing.
What is a bogey in golf?
It is a score of one stroke over par on a hole.
What is a double bogey?
It means two strokes over par on a hole. On a par 4, that is a score of 6.
What does bogie mean?
It most often means a wheeled frame under a train or railcar. It is also a nickname for Humphrey Bogart.
Is bogey a noun or a verb?
Both. It is a noun when you say “a bogey.” It is a verb when you say “he bogeyed the hole.”
How do you pronounce bogey and bogie?
Both are said BOH-ghee.
What is the plural of bogey?
Bogeys. The plural of the railway word bogie is bogies.
What is the Colonel Bogey March?
It is a British military march composed in 1914 by Kenneth Alford. It is best known from The Bridge on the River Kwai.
What is rocker-bogie suspension?
It is a wheel suspension design used on NASA Mars rovers. It helps a vehicle stay stable on rough ground.
Conclusion
The bogey or bogie question comes down to context. Use “bogey” for a golf score, a feared thing, slang for nasal mucus, or an unidentified aircraft. Use “bogie” for the wheeled frame under a train, for bogie wheels, and for the nickname of Humphrey Bogart. The two words sound the same, but their standard spellings differ by meaning.
When you are unsure, check what the word describes. If it is about golf or something dreaded, write bogey. If it is about a train, wheels, or the actor, write bogie. That simple habit will keep your writing clear and correct.
Danish Raza is the author of Grammavio, a trusted resource for simple and easy-to-understand English grammar guides. He creates helpful content covering grammar rules, word meanings, vocabulary, and common grammar mistakes to help readers improve their English skills.
