Triskaidekaphobia

Do you fear the number 13?

If you’ve looked at your calendar today you’ve noticed that today is the 13th. Friday the 13th. Are you cowering under your comforter? If you’re one of the millions of people that fear this day, you have triskaidekaphobia.

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. The word comes from Greek roots; tris meaning “3”, kai meaning “and”, deka meaning “10” and phobia meaning “fear” or “morbid fear.” Triskaidekaphobia became so common that many architects and city planners let it affect their work. Some cities don’t have a 13th Street or 13th Avenue. Airports will skip the 13th gate. Hospitals and hotels often won’t have a 13th room. Tall buildings were also designed without a 13th floor. Of course the 13th floor is still the 13th floor, but it would be named 12A for example, or used as a maintenance floor so superstitious guests wouldn’t suffer any discomfort. It’s unclear how often triskaidekaphobia still affects design plans today.

If you’re also scared because this month’s 13th day falls on a Friday, you have what’s called paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia; fear of Friday the 13th.

Usually Friday the 13th only comes around once a year, but this year is special. 2012 has three Friday the 13ths. One back in January, today and then one to look forward to in July.

What do you think about triskaidekaphobia? Do you share this common superstition, or do you think it’s silly? Tell us in the comments!

Listen to Flocabulary’s Superstitions rap song to learn what other things people are afraid of.