It's a combination of things. His appearance, which is often described as wild and unkempt, gives an impression of a savage. Also, the strange noises associated with him and the fact that he seems to lurk in the shadows of the woods. It's like he's part of the dark and spooky nature of the forest, and that makes him really frightening.
The unknown aspect of his life. We don't know his past, why he behaves the way he does. Maybe he has a dark secret or has been through some traumatic event that has made him this way. And not knowing this makes our imagination run wild, creating all kinds of terrifying scenarios in our minds about him.
His chains. The jangling of his chains is a constant reminder of his presence. It's an unnerving sound that cuts through the silence of the night.
His connection to the swamp. Swamps are already spooky places, and he lurks there. The idea that he could come out of that dark, murky water at any moment is really terrifying. Also, his transformation from a human to this alligator - like creature goes against nature, and that's deeply unsettling.
His laugh. A strange and uncontrollable laugh can be really scary.
The 'the man with no legs scary story' is frightening because it plays on our primal fears. We are instinctively afraid of the abnormal, and a man without legs is an extreme form of that. Additionally, in these stories, the man is usually in a state of decay or has a ghostly appearance. His presence often comes with an eerie silence or strange noises. For instance, you might hear the sound of his body dragging on the ground. All these elements combined create a sense of dread. It also makes us question our safety, as this abnormal figure can appear anywhere, whether it's in an old house, a dark alley, or even on a lonely road at night.
His appearance could be one factor. If he has a haggard face, sunken eyes, and a stooped posture, it gives an immediate sense of unease. For example, if his skin is wrinkled and pale like he has seen things that no one else has.
His smiling dancing could be frightening because it defies our normal expectations of how people should behave. We expect people to be in control of their actions and expressions. But this man seems to be lost in his own world of smiling and dancing, and that unpredictability makes him scary. Also, his smile might seem forced or menacing rather than genuine, which adds to the fear factor.
Maybe it's the character of the Jingaly Man himself. If he has a menacing look or does really cruel things in the stories, that would be scary.
The mystery around the jingly man. We don't know who he is or what his intentions are. Just the sound of the bells and the presence of an unknown figure is enough to send shivers down one's spine.
The fact that the jingle is the only sign of his approach. It's like a warning that you can't escape from. And also, we don't know what his intentions are. He could be out to harm or just to terrify, and that uncertainty is really scary.