(try.dek.uh.FOH.bee.uh)
n.
Fear of the number thirteen.
Example Citation:
Composer Arnold Schoenberg, whose treatise on harmony was dedicated to "the hallowed memory of Gustav Mahler," developed a theory of writing music "using 12 tones" and perhaps as a result developed tridecaphobia — a trembling fear of the number 13.
— Kenneth LaFave, "Mahler's Grand Farewell," The Arizona Republic, November 1, 1998
Earliest Citation:
Queen Saturn XIII, Cindy Larsen, rides atop her giant swan float as the 15-float parade rolls on Napoleon Avenue Wednesday. The parade's theme was 'Tridecaphobia,' which means fear of the number 13.
— photo caption, "Thirteenth Night," Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), February 15, 1996
Notes:
The more commonly accepted word for the fear of a baker's dozen is triskaidekaphobia (1911). However, I like tridecaphobia because it's much simpler to remember (and to spell!).
Related Words:
Categories:
New words. 2013.