Bugbear

Mermen ( in Bavaria and Austria also Schrazen ) are considered a type of nature spirits. Depending on their habitat, they can also be designated as a forest, stream or Wiesenschrate etc..

Etymology

The exact etymology of the word Schrat is unclear, but probably is the word of Germanic origin. In German-speaking countries it is found in Middle High German, for example Schraz, mermen or Old High German scrato, Old Norse, quack (t ) i ( "magician", " giant" ), Icelandic skratti ( "devil" ), vatnskratti ( " water spirit " ), swedish skratte (fool, magician, devil), Modern ( Dial ) scrat ( "devil" )

From the German of Schrat found its way into the Slavic languages, for example Polish Skrzat ( before 1500 ) and skrzot ( " house spirit ", " dwarf" ) czech Skret, skrátek, skřítek ( " goblin ", " gold -making devil " ), Slovenian, quack škratek, škratelj ( " goblin ", " mountain man" ), škratec ( " whirlwind ", " Weichselzopf " )

The name of the landscape Schraden ( at the edge of Lower Lusatia ) is there popular etymology explained in this context.

Characteristics

Based on the etymology is at the Schrat to " a human ( or animal ) like spirit who dwells in the forest, caused the nightmare, and that is imitated in masks. " Later the Schrat is expanded by the importance Kobold. In Carinthia is a Schrat denote a kind of house spirit.

Unlike Elves and the cozy mountain -man, mermen are loners.