Climate change deniers. GMO danger mongers. Cutting taxes to zero will raise more revenue for the US. Given the plethora of illogic echoing from sea to shining sea, it’s not surprising that many are also gripped by paraskevidekatriaphobia right now.
Yep. Today is Friday the 13th. And, folks are afraid of their shadows- and everything else. Really, now…
How many of you are like me who find it hilarious that we have buildings with a missing 13th floor? Like calling the thirteenth story the 14th floor is going to change how things are.
What you may not know is that this rabid fear is pretty new. It dates to the dawn of modern science, back in the late 19th century (the late 1800’s). You might also recognize that, during that era, folks also complained how fast things were changing.
As best as I can tell, this triskadekaphobia (fear of the number 13) is attributable to the crucifixion of Jesus. There were 13 folks who watched this event- and this event occurred on a Friday. (By the way, if this is true, then the genealogy provided for Jesus’ birth and death are in trouble. Because the crucifixion would not have occurred on a Friday if Jesus really was born in the year 0. But, that doesn’t change the irrational fear of 13 in any way.)
Or, maybe it started in the 14th century when folks though starting new projects on a Friday would bring about their demise. As would the outcome of any trip beginning on a Friday. (You have to check Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to find those references.)
Nevertheless, it seems paraskevidekatriaphobia really took off in the 20th Century.
But, guess what. It’s the 21st century. It’s time to put childish things to bed. Enjoy your Friday 13th of November all day. Oh, it’s also the 2nd day of Kislev. Which means 23 more days until Chanuka.
