Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. It’s a mouthful derived from Greek roots: paraskeví (Friday) + dekatreís (thirteen) + -phobia (fear). The term was popularized by psychotherapist Dr. Donald Dossey as a way to name the fear specifically tied to Friday the 13th, distinct from triskaidekaphobia, which is simply fear of the number 13.

Key points

• Meaning: Fear of Friday the 13th. It’s a specific phobia that combines both the day (Friday) and the superstition around the date (the 13th).

• Origins of the term: Coined to describe this particular fear; there are related but distinct terms for different phobias (e.g., triskaidekaphobia for the number 13).

• Cultural context: Many cultures associate Friday the 13th with bad luck, though beliefs about 13 vary by culture and language (e.g., some cultures place the superstition on Tuesday the 13th).

If you’d like, I can provide a concise pronunciation guide or compare paraskevidekatriaphobia with triskaidekaphobia in more detail, or point to reliable sources for further reading.