An Official Phobia: Friday the 13th

Superstitions have been around for centuries. Friday the 13^th is one of these superstitions and Hollywood made sure to get their piece of this with all of the movies produces related to it. I'm not sure that I would even know that Friday the 13^th was supposed to be 'bad luck' without all of the hype surrounding it. Who has not heard about Jason in the Friday the 13^th movies? I do remember hearing stories about one of my aunts that was born on a Friday the 13^th and when she was born her daddy said, "baby born on Friday the 13^th, should've known it would be a d*** girl!"

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

Friggatriskaidekaphobia is defined as fear of Friday the 13^th. This irrational fear can also be known as paraskevidekatriaphobia. Really, we needed a named 'phobia' for this? Friday the 13^th can occur up to three times a year. I wonder if these people call into work and stay inside all day. Can you call in to work with Friggatriskaidekaphobia? It does sound horrible.

Triskaidekaphobia

Larger than that is triskaidekaphobia which is fear of the number 13 at any time. Now I know that this has to be true because tall buildings never name a 13^th floor. This has always been amusing to me because if you were really that superstitious would you be scared of the 14^th floor as well? Technically, this is the 13^th floor. The fact that you named it otherwise should not matter, right? Coincidently psychiatry wards can be located on this floor in hospitals. That should be the first clue, can someone say crazy?

There is some Bible history that may explain why Friday the 13^th is considered so unlucky. There were 13 diners at the Last Supper, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was number 13. The fear of Friday's, Friggaphobia, could be because Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

It is all adding up now:

Friggaphobia = Fear of Friday

Triskaidekaphobia = Fear of the number 13

Friggatriskaidekaphobia = Fear of Friday the 13th

Whatever the reasoning, Friday the 13^th superstitions are alive and well. History shows that Friday the 13^th is not any worse than any other day. I will say that it makes for great conversation, and it is funny that some people that will just casually remind you that it is Friday the 13^th. I guess Friday the 13^th is an easy blame just like the dreaded "Monday".

Freeman, David W. "Friday the 13^th Superstitions: Are Triskaidekaphobia and Friggatriskaidekaphobia Real?" CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20013574-10391704.html 13 August 2010.