Word of the Day: Paraskevidekatriaphobia

Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. It describes the anxiety, worry, or strong superstition some people feel when this date appears on the calendar. While many people treat it as a fun or spooky idea, others take it seriously and may avoid certain activities on that day.

This is a rare and less commonly used word. In everyday conversation, people usually just say “fear of Friday the 13th.” However, the longer word often appears in trivia, articles, psychology discussions, or social media posts because it’s unusual and memorable.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia refers specifically to the superstition that Friday the 13th brings bad luck. People who feel this fear might avoid traveling, making big decisions, signing contracts, or even leaving home on that date. The word is commonly used when talking about cultural beliefs, myths, or how superstition affects behavior.


Tone: The tone of the word is neutral, but it’s often used in a light, fun, or slightly humorous way because of its length and complexity.

Part of speech: Noun

Origin / Etymology: This long word comes from Greek:

• Paraskevi means Friday
  
• dekatreis means thirteen
  
• phobia means fear
  When combined, the word literally translates to fear of Friday the 13th.
  

Example sentences:

1. His paraskevidekatriaphobia makes him reschedule meetings whenever Friday the 13th appears.
   
2. Hotels sometimes notice fewer bookings due to paraskevidekatriaphobia.
   

You’ll often see this word in blog posts, news features, or fun educational content when Friday the 13th approaches. It’s popular in discussions about superstition, psychology, and interesting English vocabulary.

In short, paraskevidekatriaphobia is a long and fascinating word describing the fear of Friday the 13th. Though rarely used in daily speech, it’s a fun way to explore language, superstition, and human behavior.