I'm gonna stick with Bryan on this one. Where I'm from in Lafayette we used betaille to mean animal.

Bryan, I also have heard "tataille" used for a monster.

Thanks all for the quick answer. Now I know that Betaille is the Creole equivalent of the bogey man. Makes sense.

I remember being warned that, if I was not good, the tataille would get me. Of course, if there really was a tataille, I wouldn't be here...

The uses of betaille that I've heard all correspond with what has already been said.

JtO

I have also read about "la grande bécaille", a giant half-roach half spider insect coming to get disobedient children.

Christian