Unusual and novelty phobias
Joke names and rare phobia words, with notes on which ones describe a real fear.
Aibohphobia
Aibohphobia is a joke word for the fear of palindromes, and it's a palindrome itself. Learn where it came from, how to say it, and when word fears are real.
A type of specific phobiaAlektorophobia
Alektorophobia is an intense fear of chickens, hens, or roosters. It sounds like a joke, but doctors have treated it. Learn the signs, causes, and what helps.
Fictional or humorous termAnatidaephobia
Anatidaephobia, the fear that a duck is watching you, began in a 1988 Far Side comic by Gary Larson. It's a joke, not a diagnosis. Here's its story and what's real.
Fictional or humorous termArachibutyrophobia
Arachibutyrophobia is a joke word for fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. It's not a diagnosis. Learn where it came from and how to say it.
Rare or disputed termChiclephobia
Chiclephobia is a rarely used name for a fear of chewing gum. Learn what it describes, how it differs from misophonia, and when a fear needs support.
Rare or disputed termHexakosioihexekontahexaphobia
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia is the fear of the number 666, the number of the beast in Revelation. Learn what the word means, how to say it, and real cases.
Fictional or humorous termHippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
The phobia of long words is jokingly called hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia. The plainer term is sesquipedalophobia. Learn what they mean and how to say it.
Rare or disputed termLachanophobia
Lachanophobia is a fear of vegetables that goes far beyond disliking broccoli. Learn how it differs from picky eating and ARFID, and what can help.
Rare or disputed termPapaphobia
Papaphobia means fear of the pope. Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary defined it as dread of the pope or the Catholic Church. It's a real word, but not a diagnosis.
Rare or disputed termPogonophobia
Pogonophobia means a fear or dislike of beards. Learn the word's history as a joke, its link to the Little Albert study, and when a fear of beards needs support.
Rare or disputed termPteronophobia
Pteronophobia is the fear of feathers, often listed as fear of being tickled by feathers. Learn what the word really means, why feathers tickle, and what helps.
A type of specific phobiaTurophobia
Turophobia, the fear of cheese, sounds like a joke, but a published case report describes it as a real specific phobia. Learn the signs, causes, and what helps.
Rare or disputed termXanthophobia
Xanthophobia is a rare word for a fear of the color yellow. Learn what it means, why color fears are rarely studied, and when to seek support.