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Since it’s Friday the 13th, today’s secret ingredient is fear. If you’re afraid of this particular date, you’re suffering from Paraskavedekatriaphobia. We’ll help you through it. Maybe you’re afraid of being tickled by feathers, and have Pteronophobia. If this already has you uncomfortable, perhaps you’ve got a case of Sesquipedalophobia – fear of long words.
Fear is the jumping off point for this edition of Friday Happy Hour. Give us your obscure phobias, horror movie trivia, fancy facts about Halloween – whatever you’ve got. Go ahead and mingle. If Potophobia is what ails you, please don’t let the adult beverage overtones keep you from participating (Potophobia is the fear of alcohol). Though people with Phobophobia – fear of phobias – may have a difficult time with this.
[Phobias courtesy of The Phobia List.]
Comments (52)
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My two greatest fears are pool drains and birds.
As for the trivia, in Friday the 13th part VIII, the actor playing jason actually vomited on cue for the drowning scene in the new york sewers.
posted by jenni on 7-13-2007 at 9:04 am
If I was being filmed drowning in the new york sewers, I think I’d probably be able to vomit on cue as well. Ew.
posted by caitlen on 7-13-2007 at 9:20 am
Inside that mask. That is gross.
posted by Jonathan on 7-13-2007 at 9:34 am
Consecotaleophobia: Fear of chopsticks
Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
As for myself, I’ve always been terrified of earthworms…other buggy things don’t really bother me, but earthworms seriously make me quake. This is rather unfortunate, as I live in freakin’ Oregon.
posted by natlynn on 7-13-2007 at 9:36 am
I fear flying monkeys. Wizard of Oz is messed up! Anyone got a fancy name for fear of flying monkeys?
posted by Scott on 7-13-2007 at 9:38 am
aerorhesuphobia
posted by vorpal on 7-13-2007 at 9:41 am
My older sister has an extreme fear of really big fish and really big flags like the ones outside of car dealerships
posted by Sally on 7-13-2007 at 10:00 am
I have a fear of certain shapes inside of the same shape. It’s weird and it seems kind of random – sometimes it doesn’t bother me but certain things set me off. Like when hair gets stuck in the shower drain, and you pull it out and it stays the same shape as the drain – just little circles of hair inside a big circle of hair all webbed together – it just freaks me out!! It’s not the fact that it’s shower hair, because it doesn’t bother me if it’s in a clump. It’s the circles in the circle. I can’t look at it. I have to close my eyes and pull it out with a paper towel or something so I don’t touch it. Can anyone relate?
posted by Rebecca on 7-13-2007 at 10:06 am
I am so afraid of people in costumes I can hardly explain it. I just don’t trust them. Santa– freaky, the easter bunny– worse, clowns– don’t even joke! I once had a complete break down as a child due to an encounter with Smokey the Bear.
posted by blong on 7-13-2007 at 10:47 am
I have a bad fear of dogs and 18 wheelers. But I’m also really OCD about my bed I won’t let anyone sit on it or touch my pillow. And I’m constantly straiting the sheets.
posted by Rachel on 7-13-2007 at 10:48 am
I am TERRIFIED of pool drains. It took 3 years after learning how to swim in order for me to try the diving board because the drain was over there. Even now, I jump and try to stay as close as possible to the surface. Everyone thinks it’s hilarious.
Another thing I fear is fish. I can go in the ocean, a river, a lake; no problem. But as soon as I see a fish anywhere relatively near, I freak. I tried snorkeling, and loved the reef, but all of a sudden there was a fish right in my face, I breathed in a ton of water and started thrashing, and my boyfriend had to pull me out of the water and drag me to the beach. That’s probably my biggest and most legitimate phobia.
posted by Kali on 7-13-2007 at 10:48 am
I’m afraid of deep water if the water’s not clear enough to see in. (Not counting in pools.) I can’t swim in lakes anymore, not after having gone in one and later seeing snakes in it.
And my sister is afraid of automatic toilets.
posted by Pointy-Hatted Geek on 7-13-2007 at 11:09 am
This is kind of embarassing, but I’m really creeped out by moths, especially when they’re hovering around your ligths indoors!!
posted by Lisa on 7-13-2007 at 11:15 am
While watching “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman” the other day, I discovered I have a phobia of conchs. Especially when they’re being pulled out of their shells.
posted by Dara on 7-13-2007 at 11:20 am
Well I have a fear of driving over bridges but not all bridges. I don’t fear straight ones (like the GWB, no problems there) just ones that have an arch in them like the bridge going into Newport, RI (2 bridges, no fun) and the Frances Scott Bridge. Causes actual anxiety attack!!!
posted by JaneM on 7-13-2007 at 11:23 am
I’m terrified of birds. Last year one of my co-workers pointed out that a bird was flying around the back of our store. I scared most of the customers by screaming my head off although the bird was nowhere near me. When my co-worker tried to chase it out we discovered that it was a bat and not a bird. After that I was fine thus cementing the fact I’m a freak for being afraid of birds but not bats.
posted by Camille on 7-13-2007 at 11:24 am
Aibohphobia – a fear of palindromes
posted by Craig on 7-13-2007 at 11:34 am
i have a fear of driving through tunnels. it’s not because i’m claustrophobic or anything. i’m afraid that i’m going to get in an accident and be trapped and help won’t be able to get to me.
posted by itsabecky on 7-13-2007 at 11:38 am
I have a fear of heights, but only because I’m afraid that I will impulsively jump. I’m not suicidal, which is why it’s a fear; I just have a strong desire to fly. I thought if I went skydiving it might cure me, but it only seems to have made matters worse.
posted by Andy on 7-13-2007 at 11:55 am
I’ve always loved wolfoslipophobia (not 100% sure of the spelling) from a Gary Larson cartoon. It’s the fear of being chased by timberwolves around a kitchen table while wearing socks on a newly waxed floor.
Gotta love Larson!
posted by Amy on 7-13-2007 at 12:07 pm
As long as we are on the topic of phobias,
Tonight is the season premier of Monk (the defective detective) on the USA network, 9pm. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and tune in. If you don’t like it, what is wrong with you?
posted by n2y2 on 7-13-2007 at 12:13 pm
I have an intense fear of anything or anyone touching or threatening to touch my belly button. The thought of it is making me sick right now.
posted by DW on 7-13-2007 at 12:29 pm
Selachophobia- Fear of sharks. The thought of being eaten and drowning at the same time… (shudder). I was really bad before and wouldn’t go in any body of water that I couldn’t see in, and though I’m not as bad as I used to be, diving into anything but a pool and imagining that mouth full of teeth coming towards me always has me rushing to shore.
posted by Shann on 7-13-2007 at 12:32 pm
I have a fear of watching people up on ladders. It makes me feel very helpless and scared for their safety. You should see me try to talk myself down from panic attacks when I take my toddler son to the park and he starts climbing on the equipment.
posted by Cheryl on 7-13-2007 at 12:35 pm
DW–I have that same phobia. I despise cleaning my navel myself, cause just the thought of anything touching it…DO NOT WANT.
It’s like this crazy portal to my innards or something. Nothing feels like that, eerie.
posted by Johnny Cat on 7-13-2007 at 1:08 pm
Sometimes climacophobia, fear of climbing stairs, creeps up on me. When I was younger I believed something was ready to chase me only when I climbed up stairs.
That, and it really sucks to be a thanatophobic aetheist.
posted by Kasee on 7-13-2007 at 1:54 pm
My ex boyfriend was petrified of vegetables. If he ordered food at a restaurant and there were any veggies left on the plate he would send it back. Once, one of his friend stuck a pickle in his pocket and he was so angry he refused to talk to him for almost two months.
posted by omega on 7-13-2007 at 2:21 pm
i have an irrational fear of giant/colossal squid. ugh!!
posted by hannah on 7-13-2007 at 2:29 pm
itsabecky – i’ll see your fear of tunnels and raise you tunnels that go underwater. i don’t like tunnels through mountains or whatever, but i can deal with them. i have to reeeeally focus and breathe carefully and slowly when in one that goes underwater or i will completely freak out. no Chunnel for me, thanks! not without LOTS of drugs anyway…
posted by mri on 7-13-2007 at 2:31 pm
I love these fears – they are great!
As I get older, I find I’m more afraid of very high overpasses, where you drive way up to the sky and down the other side…me no likey..
I don’t like heights…I too am afraid i’ll jump off a 20 floor hotel, down into their piano bar…gah…
I love all bugs, worms, snakes, spiders, etc…roaches creep me out, but not in a weird way…
Fears are fun, not funny…
posted by donner on 7-13-2007 at 2:41 pm
Poetry- Metrophobia
I can definitely understand this phobia
posted by Lindsey on 7-13-2007 at 3:03 pm
I thought I was the only one who had a 1/2 urge to jump off high buildings. As the other person said, I’m not suicidal at all either, for some reason, I just get anxiety when I’m up high because I’m like “whatever you do, don’t jump off the side of the building.” Just common sense, right? But then, the rest of the time I’m up there, all I’m thinking about is, “Oh my God, what if I just got the urge, and can’t stop?!” AH! Just thinking about it makes my heart rate speed up.
posted by kali on 7-13-2007 at 3:18 pm
Barnacles! Anything gross in clusters — makes my skin crawl.
posted by Ria on 7-13-2007 at 3:53 pm
Ive never touched a fish. Im sure they are fine but imagining myself in the middle of a school of fish is gross.
Anyone see the jackass where they sprayed mustard allover Rake Yohn? He HATES mustard and freaked out. Beat in cars, almost killed someone!
posted by David on 7-13-2007 at 4:29 pm
I am not a fan of bridges over large bodies of water. I think I’m afraid I will drive off into the lake/river/bay/whatever.
And earwigs are totally disgusting.
posted by Janel on 7-13-2007 at 4:30 pm
I have a fear of both infinity and finity. I try to not spend much time thinking about astrophysics or possible afterlives.
posted by Nathan on 7-13-2007 at 5:49 pm
I fear helicopters. Don’t know why – never been attacked by one. It’s just feels like they could swoop down and eggbeat you to death real easy.
posted by Karen on 7-14-2007 at 3:31 am
Typical but oh so horrible – Arachnophobia! (dun dun daaa)
There’s just something about 8 legs that seems unnatural! Totally getting chills down my spine right now.
Also, even now, I wig out a little when I’m in a pool alone – convinced that a shark or monster is just going to appear in my pool and eat me.
posted by Ashe on 7-16-2007 at 12:40 am
I have a really hard time going down steep stairs, or really just a lot of stairs.
Also, clowns, bees & birds, especially chickens.
I freak out if I’m in a mall that’s closing and can’t go to sleep with out my alarm set ending in a 5 or 0. My issues are many and varied.
posted by lucyjae on 7-16-2007 at 2:47 pm
Call me crazy here. I have a huge fear of those guys at the airports in suits with signs. Especially when they have sunglasses on! I once had to go to the restroom and couldn’t because there were about 6 of those men standing close, kind of scattered about though. They just give me the creeps.
And then i’m deathly afraid of cockroaches. I love spiders and love snakes. I play with snakes, I play with salamanders. I play with almost any bug (except bees and wasps because i’m allergic) But I am so paranoid of cockroaches falling in my mouth, getting in my hair, crawling up my legs, etc. Then again I lived in east texas, thank goodness I moved to Nevada.
Finally, people cutting my hair. I have this fear that someone is going to come after me in my sleep or something and cut my hair off. I have this fear because i’m so obssesed with hair and love my hair – it’s 2.5 feet long when wet, but then it curls into ringlets that go to my waist. I would die if it was short.
Enjoy!
posted by Edv on 7-16-2007 at 9:55 pm
At 25, I still fear whats under my bed and only seem to be fine when I am tucked in, so I will turn off my light and leap to my bed to get under the covers.
I am also still scared of downstairs. I am always running up the stairs if it is dark.
I generally fear the dark and unknown and I’m not big on small spaces. I went spelunking on time and it wasn’t too cool.
I also have a fear of heights. I get really shaky knees and usually laugh nervously.
posted by AimeeD on 7-16-2007 at 11:30 pm
Totally agree with Ria. Things growing in clusters just make me twitch and itch. I had a hard time in Biology class because I hated seeing zoomed in pictures of cells. And driving by patches of mushrooms is one of the worst things…but I love eating them.
posted by Candace on 7-17-2007 at 8:27 am
Can’t believe no one else invoked the spirit of Lucy Van Pelt:
“Or maybe you have pantophobia. Do you have pantophobia?”
“What’s that?”
“The fear of everything.”
posted by Paul on 7-17-2007 at 10:08 am
Similar to the twice-mentioned non-suicidal fear of jumping… “whatever you do, don’t jump off the side of the building”… I fear being unable to resist the sudden urge to tip over full containers of liquid (the open nalgene bottles of total strangers, containers of rubber cement). Also, as I look at handrails in bathroom stalls or walk upon sewer grates (anything disgusting and potentially swarming with bacteria), I become irrationally afraid that someone or something will make me lick the hazardous surface.
posted by Lin on 7-17-2007 at 10:34 am
Birds… specifically pidgeons! Diseased, flying rodents… and they’re too used to humans, they just won’t get out of the way. I’m always afraid I’m going to accidently kick one and it’s going to fly up in my face. *shivers*
Dentists… Thank God for sedation dentistry, a couple pills and I don’t remember a thing!
Dry things touching my teeth. I can’t even look at a child sucking on a blanket. Thinking about it makes my teeth hurt.
posted by Truovrld on 7-18-2007 at 10:16 am
oh, and Grackels… They’re everywhere down here. (Dallas, TX) This one is really wierd. They scare me because they look like they should have arms. Next time you see one, think about it…
posted by Truovrld on 7-18-2007 at 10:18 am
I’m afraid of people touching my belly button, too! They’re just so gross! Does anyone know if there’s a name for this?
My friend has a fear of small clusters of dots or circles.
posted by Asia on 7-28-2007 at 9:37 pm
what is the name for being afraid of navel and what happens if someone hugs you and ur belly button accidently touches them
posted by chick on 9-1-2007 at 3:43 pm
I am rather irrationally afraid of going down flights of stairs. Especially ones that have holes in them, or have spaces in between each step. Those REALLY freak me out. (it’s something about me feeling like I could fall through the holes) Stairs that have patterns on them (like tiles) or ones that blend together are really bad too. My family has always found it kind of funny, because as a kid, I would gladly climb up stuff, but then spend forever getting back down. My best guess as to why I have the fear is that I have astigmatisms in both eyes (and BAD eyesight- I can’t read the big ‘E’ at the top of the chart without my glasses). As such, patterns and lines blend together, even with my glasses on, and so I can’t see the next step. I’ve gotten to the point where I put the arch of my foot over the edge of the step to verify that that is the edge of the step.
posted by greenstrawberries on 9-4-2007 at 3:19 am
I have a fear of a cluster of dots and small circles….what is this called?
posted by Tara on 9-16-2007 at 1:25 pm
i also have a deathly fear of dots in a cluster, tara, and was researching whats its called!
posted by Khrystyna on 11-30-2007 at 8:40 pm
I also have that fear of dots and things clumped together like circles and stuff x I’ve always called it dottophobia x my family fink I’m crazy but it like totally makes me cringe xx
posted by Becky on 2-20-2009 at 5:18 pm