Friday, 9 November 2012

Anatidaephobia

I came across a wonderful word today in a Facebook post. I know that there are many phobias, but this one is hilarious and thank my friend Martin Auster for bringing it to my attention. Have you ever come across Anatidaephobia?

So what is it? Anatidaephobia is defined as a pervasive, irrational fear that one is being watched by a duck. The anatidaephobic individual fears that no matter where they are or what they are doing, a duck watches. Anatidaephobia is derived from the Greek word "anatidae", meaning ducks, geese or swans and "phobos" meaning fear.

Now it doesn't seem such a funny term and I'm wondering if I am a sufferer from this condition. I cycle past several waddlings of ducks on most days and they always turn to look at me as I go past. Waddling is, by the way, one of the collective nouns for a group of ducks.

Can anyone please advise me if I should be wary of them ... or is it simply the other way around and they are experiencing a form of homosapiensphobia!? And is there any cure for this phobia if it's real?

AS

1 comment:

Richard said...

I would imagine that they are simply marvelling at the passing of a re-born person bearing in mind that your 5th re-birthday is on the 19th November.
Richard.