There are hundreds of phobias. Most people know about claustrophobia (fear of closed places), xenophobia (fear of strangers), and acrophobia (fear of high places), but what about macrophobia? Or globophobia? Hopefully, you don’t suffer from listophobia and will read on to learn about some lesser-known phobias.
Ablutophobia
soap Bars of soap.© Photos.com/ThinkstockA person with this phobia has a fear of bathing or cleaning. Fortunately for AXE, it is rare.
Globophobia
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Balloons flying over the Rio Grande in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico.Ron BehrmannA phobia that makes clowns sad, globophobia is a fear of balloons.
Porphyrophobia
Sesquipedalophobia
dictionary English dictionary.© Ablestock.com/Getty ImagesSomeone with this phobia has a fear of long words—which makes whoever came up with the term rather mean.
Chiroptophobia
leaf-nosed bat Leaf-nosed bat in flight.Animals Animals/SuperStockThis is a fear of bats. You know, those creepy flying mammals that sleep upside down and sometimes suck blood.
Macrophobia
This is a fear of long waits—which will likely afflict most people headed to the DMV.
Lachanophobia
broccoli Edible broccoli florets (Brassica oleracea, variety italica).© CorbisA phobia that affects children everywhere, it’s the fear of vegetables.
Anthophobia
Shasta daisies Yellow and white Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum ×superbum).© photocheaper—iStock/Getty ImagesA fear of flowers, because sometimes daisies are just plain scary.
Hippophobia
Thoroughbred stallion Thoroughbred stallion with dark bay coat.© Scott SmudskyFear of hippopotamuses? No, it’s the fear of horses.
Omphalophobia, Geniophobia, and Genuphobia
knee joint The ligaments and cartilage in a knee joint.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Fear of belly buttons, chins, and knees, respectively.