Friday, September 16, 2011

Vocabulary - Are You Triskaidekaphobic?

Are you afraid of the number 13? Do you think it's an unlucky number? If so, you are triskaidekaphobic!

phobia is an extreme fear of something (or someone!). For example,claustrophobia is a fear of being in small, closed spaces. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. You can see a list of more phobias here.

In English-speaking countries, 13 is an unlucky number. There are no 13th floors in most buildings. Friday the 13th is believed to be a VERY unlucky day! There is even a series of horror movies called Friday the 13th.

No one is quite sure why the number 13 or Friday the 13th is unlucky. It's a common superstition. Some people believe that 13 is unlucky number because there were 13 people at the Last Supper - the last supper Jesus had with his 12 disciples before he died.

I have heard that in some countries, Friday the 13th is a lucky day! What about your country? Is Friday the 13th a luck or unlucky day?