The word “nightmare” once had nothing to do with bad dreams. In medieval folklore, a “mare” was a demonic spirit believed to sit on people’s chests while they slept, causing suffocating dreams or paralysis. The term “night-mare” literally meant a nighttime attack by this sinister entity.
This chilling belief spread across Europe, from Norse to Germanic traditions. Over time, as science began to explain sleep disorders, the supernatural aspect faded—but the word stuck. Now, we use it to describe disturbing dreams, but its origins are steeped in mystery and fear. Sleep tight…