Triskaidekaphobia

"Fear of 13" redirects here. For the film, see The Fear of 13.
Elevator panel in a building in the United States, where floors proceed from 12 to 14

Triskaidekaphobia (/ˌtrɪskaɪˌdɛkəˈfoʊbiə/ ⓘ TRIS-kye-DEK-ə-FOH-bee-ə, /ˌtrɪskə-/ TRIS-kə-; from Ancient Greek τρεισκαίδεκα (treiskaídeka) 'thirteen' and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear')[1] is fear or avoidance of the number 13. It is also a reason for the fear of Friday the 13th, called paraskevidekatriaphobia (from Greek Παρασκευή (Paraskevi) 'Friday' Greek δεκατρείς (dekatreís) 'thirteen' and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear') or friggatriskaidekaphobia (from Old Norse Frigg 'Frigg' Ancient Greek τρεισκαίδεκα (treiskaídeka) 'thirteen' and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear').

The term was used as early as in 1910 by Isador Coriat in Abnormal Psychology.[2]

  1. ^ "triskaidekaphobia - Origin and meaning of triskaidekaphobia by Online Etymology Dictionary". Etymonline.com. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Abnormal Psychology" p. 319, published in 1910, Moffat, Yard and company (New York). LCCN 10-11167.