Everyone is afraid of something, but some fears more common than others. Everyone knows of arachnophobia, as spiders are nothing to sneeze at. But do they know of anatidaephobia? Below are 11 phobias that you may not have known existed.

1. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia: fear of long words. Ironic since the fear of long words is a long word itself.
2. Sinistrophobia: fear of things on your left. Scary clowns standing on the right? It’s fine, no biggie. If it’s on the left? No way, that’s too much.
3. Dextrophobia: fear of things on your right. The opposite of sinistrophobia, if it’s on the right it’s not okay.
4. Bibliophobia: fear of books. If you have this fear, you may be having a few problems in English class.
5. Pogonophobia: fear of beards. This fear may have you hoping you don’t get certain teachers for the sole reason they have extra hair on their face.
6. Sciaphobia: fear of shadows. The sun is not a friend, but not because it burns fair skin. The sun brings unwanted shadows that no one needs.
7. Nomophobia: fear of being without a phone. You will never see someone with nomophobia without their phone, as they can’t be without it.
8. Globophobia: fear of balloons popping. Birthday parties can be a nightmare for people with globophobia. The anxiety of waiting for one to pop can be too much.
9. Ergophobia: fear of work. Getting a job can be intense, but for people with ergophobia, the worse part is actually doing the work.
10. Arachibutyrophobia: fear of peanut butter sticking to palate of mouth. Sayonara, PB&J, you are not welcomed when concerning people with arachibutyrophobia.
11. Anatidaephobia: fear of being watched by a duck. People with anatidaephobia know you can never be too careful when trying to avoid the watchful eye of a duck. They are everywhere, and see everything.

Source: http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/2010/100-weird-phobias-that-really-exist/

Rachel Evans, Staff Writer

Sophomore Rachel Evans is a staff writer for the 2016-17 Colonel. She plays in Marching Band, Wind Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. Outside of school, she enjoys taking photos.