Triskaidekaphobia

fear of the number 13

Triskaidekaphobia[n 1] is the fear of the number thirteen. The number 13 has been linked to bad luck in the western superstition. Some buildings in the United States do not have a "13th floor."

An example of the phobia. The elevator does not have the "13th floor".

The term was first used by Isador Coriat in Abnormal Psychology.[1]

There is also a fear of Friday the 13th. This fear is called paraskevidekatriaphobia[n 2] or friggatriskaidekaphobia.[n 3]

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  1. From Greek words τρείς (treis; three), δέκα (deka; ten) and φόβος (fobos; fear).
  2. From Greek words παρασκευή (paraskevi; Friday) and δεκατρείς (dekatreis; thirteen).
  3. From Norse Goddess Frigg, from whom the word "Friday" came.

References change

  1. "Abnormal Psychology" p. 319, published in 1910, Moffat, Yard and company (New York). Library of Congress Control No. 10011167.