Phobias are extreme, irrational fears that cause severe anxiety and interfere with normal life. The word comes from the Greek term for fear or panic. Up to 10% of American adults and 20% of teens may experience panic attacks triggered by certain objects, situations, or living things.
Some common phobias are claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), acrophobia (fear of heights), and arachnophobia (fear of spiders).
But some phobias seem so odd they are hard to believe. Some even seem humorous, like fear of teenagers or long words.
What parent hasn’t at one point or another experienced ephebiphobia, the fear of teenagers? And what lexicographical joker decided that the fear of long words should be called hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?
Some “phobias” are invented jokes, like dustophobia (fear of dust) in the 1800s or LCC-phobia (fear of a London council) in 1902. (These are some popular slang words nobody uses anymore.)
However, unlikely sounding phobias like fear of ducks, paper, or the number 8 are real and no laughing matter for sufferers.
To compile a list of 20 strangest phobias, sources like medical sites and mental health organizations were reviewed.
Click here to see a list of the 20 strangest phobias
Alektorophobia
> Definition: Fear of chickens
[in-text-ad]
Anatidaephobia
> Definition: Fear of ducks
Barophobia
> Definition: Fear of gravity
Chromophobia
> Definition: Fear of colors
[in-text-ad-2]
Cibophobia
> Definition: Fear of food
Ephebiphobia
> Definition: Fear of teenagers
[in-text-ad]
Globophobia
> Definition: Fear of balloons
24/7 Wall St.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
> Definition: Fear of long words
Koumpounophobia
> Definition: Fear of buttons
[in-text-ad-2]
Lepidopterophobia
> Definition: Fear of butterflies
Mageirocophobia
> Definition: Fear of cooking
[in-text-ad]
Octophobia
> Definition: Fear of the figure 8
Papyrophobia
> Definition: Fear of paper
Phobophobia
> Definition: Fear of fear
[in-text-ad-2]
Podophobia
> Definition: Fear of feet
Pogonophobia
> Definition: Fear of beards
[in-text-ad]
Porphyrophobia
> Definition: Fear of the color purple
24/7 Wall St.
Selenophobia
> Definition: Fear of the moon
[in-text-ad-2]
Trypophobia
> Definition: Fear of holes
100 Million Americans Are Missing This Crucial Retirement Tool
The thought of burdening your family with a financial disaster is most Americans’ nightmare. However, recent studies show that over 100 million Americans still don’t have proper life insurance in the event they pass away.
Life insurance can bring peace of mind – ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded against unforeseen expenses and debts. With premiums often lower than expected and a variety of plans tailored to different life stages and health conditions, securing a policy is more accessible than ever.
A quick, no-obligation quote can provide valuable insight into what’s available and what might best suit your family’s needs. Life insurance is a simple step you can take today to help secure peace of mind for your loved ones tomorrow.
Click here to learn how to get a quote in just a few minutes.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.