The scientific name for the extreme or irrational fear of butterflies (and moths and other winged insects) is called lepidopterophobia. The word is derived from the Greek 'lepido' (scale) and 'ptera' (wings). Nicole Kidman admits to a fear of butterflies, stemming from her childhood in Australia.
When she got home from school if she saw a butterfly or moth on the front gate she would crawl around to the side of her house just to avoid the insect.
2. Public Speaking
Answer: Richard Branson
Glosspophobia, from the Greek glossa (tongue), is the fear of public speaking. It is estimated that 75% of the population has some form of this fear. Symptoms include freezing in front of a group, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, shakes and sweating. Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is one of those who suffers with this phobia.
It stems from a school contest where children were 'gonged' if they made an error. Marilyn Monroe was another sufferer.
3. Tiny holes in patterns
Answer: Kendall Jenner
Leave it to a Kardashian/Jenner to exhibit a rare phobia. While not yet officially recognized as a mental disorder, model Kendall Jenner admits she's trypophobic. Trypophobia is a fear of patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps, e.g., honeycomb, strawberries, pancakes. For some reason, little holes create anxiety in Kendall (insert joke here).
4. Eggs
Answer: Alfred Hitchcock
Most of us have heard of Alfred Hitchcock, "The Master of Suspense", as he tried to scare us to death with films like "Psycho" and "The Birds". So it seems bizarre that the famed director was afraid of...eggs! Ovaphobia is the irrational fear of eggs. Hitchcock was not only afraid of eggs but repulsed by them "breaking and spilling its yellow liquid".
There may be a little xanthophobia (fear of yellow) at work here too.
5. Thunderstorms
Answer: Madonna
American singer and entertainer Madonna is well-known for her many accomplishments. Who would have guessed that she suffers from astraphobia, and must hunker down on a stormy night? Astraphobia, also known as brontophobia, is the fear of thunder and lightning. While many people may experience anxiety in a severe storm, only those with this phobia will find it incapacitating.
6. Pigs
Answer: Orlando Bloom
The fear of pigs is (logically) called swinophobia. British actor Orlando Bloom (Legolas) is able to pinpoint just when he developed this particular phobia. While he was on the set of the film "Kingdom of Heaven", a pig got loose and Bloom "ran like crazy". He has no idea where this fear comes from and, except for this weird incident, might never have know about it.
7. Clowns
Answer: Sean Combs
Rapper Sean John Combs or Puff Daddy or P. Diddy (or whatever appellation he uses) has coulrophobia, i.e., a fear of clowns. Coulrophobia is from the Greek, meaning stilt-walker. It happens to be one of the world's most common fears, and often develops from a bad experience in childhood; some of that clown make-up can be pretty scary.
Other sufferers include Johnny Depp and Daniel Radcliffe.
8. Lizards
Answer: Britney Spears
Singer Britney Spears suffers from herpetophobia, which is a fear or aversion to large reptiles and lizards. Her phobia is particularly strange since she often uses snakes in her act, including a VMA performance where she had an albino Burmese python slung over her shoulder.
While this may seem a contradiction to her well-documented herpetophobia, apparently her fear is very specific to lizards and Komodo Dragons.
9. Germs
Answer: Howie Mandel
You may have read that Howard Hughes' fear of germs was so irrational that he wore tissue boxes on his feet, and burned his clothing if someone near him became ill. Mysophobia, or fear of germs, is an affliction suffered by another Howard, i.e., Canadian comedian and actor Howie Mandel. Howie, who also suffers from OCD, will not shake hands, and eschews physical contact due to his being a germaphobe.
10. Fear of being buried alive
Answer: Edgar Allan Poe
American writer of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), was burdened with taphophobia, from the Greek taphos (grave, tomb), i.e., the fear of being buried alive. The idea of waking up buried in a coffin would give anyone nightmares. Poe may have used his short stores to help exorcise his fears, as evidenced in his stories, e.g., "The Premature Burial" and "The Fall of the House of Usher".
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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