Coulrophobia

The term coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, is a recent coining in response to a surprisingly large amount of interest in the condition, particularly on the Internet, where websites have been developed which are specifically devoted to the issue.

The word has no significant coverage in printed dictionaries, but try an Internet search on coulrophobia and you’ll discover a host of websites by coulrophobes (people who fear clowns), the condition being one of the most remarked-upon phobias on the Internet.

Much of the interest has originated with a man called Rodney Blackwell – the individual referred to in the above citation – a web designer who was so seriously afflicted with the phobia that he decided to set up several website featuring message boards where fellow coulrophobes could share experiences. The sites also affords opportunities to buy merchandise bearing an ‘I hate Clowns’ logo, and play games like ‘Punch-the-Clown’.

Causes of the phobia

In discussions of causes of coulrophobia seem to agree that the most fear-inducing aspect of clowns is the heavy makeup which, accompanied by the bulbous nose and weird color of hair, that completely conceal the wearer’s identity.

 

Sponsored by the www.clownresourcedirectory.com   (A directory of Internet resources for use by Clowns and people who want to be clowns)