Top Ten Strangest Phobias

Generally, we think of public speaking or spiders when we envision phobias. However, phobias come, like most things, in all shapes and levels of weirdness. With that in mind, let's plunge right in!

1. Zemmiphobia-Fear of the great mole rat.
Suffers of zemmiphobia believe the great mole rat is tapping their phone line and planning an attack, but, in reality, there are no documented cases of giant rats stalking humans. And although naked mole rats exist in Kenya and Ethiopia, they only average four to five inches long. Eating only roots and vegetables, these critters aren't likely to make a go for your naked toes any time soon.

2. Anablephobia-Fear of looking up.
This seems a bit odd on the surface, but I've stretched my imagination to come up with disaster scenarios. While relaxing with your friends at a barbecue, you make the mistake of opening your mouth while looking up at the sky. They think you want a boiled peanut thrown in your mouth, but you're merely yawning. A tragedy ensues.

3. Consecotaleophobia-Fear of chopsticks.
According to recent studies, sixty percent of people eat Chinese food with knives and forks because they fear chopsticks. Fortunately, scientists have developed a formula to aid the ill prepared chopstick user:

Co(square root)Nnad(2-d)

C = - - -

Mt(1+a).

And if math isn't your subject, a comprehensive history and guide to the chopstick should curb fears. Numerous sites on the web (www.echopsticks.org/) offer diagrams and commentary on the art of using chopsticks.

4. Geniophobia-Fear of chins.
I think a person without a chin is much scarier than Jay Leno. Perhaps geniophobics fear the infamous butt chin. Then, it would make more since to clarify the title: Geniophobia-Fear of butt chins. Now that's understandable.

5. Taphephobia Taphophobia-Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.
Who isn't afraid of premature burial? Chins and chopsticks haven't caused serious threats to your health, but, unfortunately, being buried alive has been an issue in the past. But with the development of modern embalming procedures, the chance of premature burial has all but ceased. Although it remains a popular plot mover on shows like CSIor Days of Our Lives.

6. Cacophobia-Fear of ugliness.
Who suffers from this ailment? Not enough people. It's been my observation that far too many individuals find themselves a hot commodity A recent posting online, by Joe Carter, states, "there are too many people running around that have no clue just how terribly unattractive they truly are." And no valid reason exists to fear the ugliness you may already possess. In fact, there are advantages to being unattractive: You need not spend time or money on yourself because, frankly, society doesn't expect that much from you.

7. Cherophobia-Fear of gaiety.
Looking around at society's most ridiculed; you'll find evidence of cherophobia. Richard Simmons, the Sweatin' to the Oldies guy, is the single gayest person on the planet, and that, for some reason, makes him a target. In 2004, Simmons found himself entangled in a brawl with a mocker at the Phoenix airport. Although, Simmons prevailed by slapping the heckler, I can't help but think this phobia is a symptom of a greater problem in our world.

8. Lutraphobia-Fear of otters.
As our lives begin to merge with nature, it's no surprise that lutraphobia flourishes. Recently, a woman in Florida punched an aggressive otter in the face after it had drug her pet Labrador into a canal. However, scientists still maintain that otters are peace loving and, by most accounts, harmless.

9. Phronemophobia-Fear of thinking.
Linda Evangelista, a supermodel and confirmed phronemophobic, once stated, "I can do anything you want me to do so long as I don't have to speak." Where does this phobia stem? Oscar Wilde'sThe Picture of Dorian Gray says dimwittedness equates to beauty, implying intelligence equals resemblance to, I suppose, an ogre.

10. Bogyphobia- Fear of bogeys or the bogeyman.
With Halloween around the corner, it's only right to salute the bogeyman. Of course, there's no proof he exists, but how could there be? He's able to disappear in seconds since he's made of dust bunnies from the closet. Fortunately, you won't have to concern yourself with a visit from this closet-dwelling fiend unless you're prone to bouts of lying and evildoing. Apparently the boogeyman is always in hot pursuit of liars and hoodlums.