Triskaidekaphobia (noun)Pronunciation:
triss-kye-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh
Definition:
Fear of the number 13
Example sentence:
Suffering from an acute case of triskaidekaphobia, Alice was horrified when the woman at the front desk handed her a hotel key for room 1301.
---
Why exactly is the number 13 considered unlucky? No one really knows for sure.
Some sources credit the Last Supper, where Judas was supposedly the thirteenth man to be seated. Others say the superstition didn’t appear until medieval times, and may have something to do with Hindu or Norse mythology. Then there’s the theory that it’s related to calendars based on lunar and solar cycles (for example, those used by the Hebrew and Chinese) where some years include 13 months.
According to Merriam Webster, printed references to the phobia first appeared in the late 1800s, and somewhere around 1911, the fear was prevalent enough to merit a term: triskaidekaphobia.
Of Friday the 13th, Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute says, “It has been estimated that [U.S] $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do.”
It’s interesting to note that triskaidekaphobia is not universal. In other cultures, you’re more likely to be freaked out by alternate numerals.
For example, tetraphobia (fear of the number 4) is common in Korea, China and Japan as well as in many East and Southeast Asian Countries. It’s not uncommon for buildings to lack floors with the number 4, and in Taiwan, tetraphobia is so common that the use of 4s are avoided in hospitals. Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia (Finnish) does not use the number 4 at the beginning of any of their model numbers.
Likewise, the number 17 is unlucky in Italy because the Roman numerals for 17, XVII, can be rearranged to “VIXI.” This translates to “I have lived” in Latin — a euphemism for death.
Definition and pronunciation taken from Merriam-Webster.
Dossey quote taken from “Friday the 13th Phobia Rooted in Ancient History” by John Roach, National Geographic, August 12, 2004.
The great information blog i am impressed .Laminate flooring for kitchen enhances the country style in this kitchen. Woven wicker stools and white wood cabinets complete the look.
ReplyDeleteVery efficiently written information. It will be valuable to everyone who uses it, including myself. Thanks a lot. Notarization services Vaughan The services provided by Gaur Law include the drafting of wills, creating financial trusts, administering trusts and estates, tax planning advice and the creation of power of attorney.
ReplyDeleteThis web diary is contrast interesting Very capably made information. It will be huge to everyone who uses it, including myself. Thankful Hi!This is particularly useful post for everyone. Thankful to you so much this post.Just about everything looks incredible appeared
ReplyDeleteoffice decals new orleans