Akademik

(pair.uh.skee.vee.dek.uh.tree.uh.FOH.bee.uh)

n.

Fear of Friday the 13th. Also: paraskevidekatria phobia.

— paraskevidekatriaphobic adj., n.

— paraskevidekatriaphobe n.

* Candye Kane — 9:30 p.m. Friday in the Thirsty Ear Tavern, 1200 W. 3rd Ave. (614-299-4987)

If your paraskevidekatriaphobia is tied to your fear of gigantic blues-shouting gals who used to model for "adult" magazines, you'll want to avoid this show.

But if you aren't afraid to leave the house on Friday the 13th and if you enjoy love-you-'til-the-break-of-dawn barrelhouse blues, Kane's show and her new disc, Whole Lotta Love, are for you.

— Aaron Beck et al., "Night Life," Columbus Dispatch, June 12, 2003

Paraskevidekatriaphobia sufferers, take heart.

Your fear of Friday the 13th is rooted in centuries-old cultural

myth rather than reality and you shouldn't hesitate to, once and

for all, let science subdue your superstitions.

This from Dr. Donald Dossey, ... a psychotherapist who founded the Phobia Institute in West Los Angeles and wrote the book "Holiday folklore, phobias and fun: Mythical origins, scientific treatments and superstitious 'cures." ...

Dossey said 17 million to 21 million Americans will suffer symptoms of paraskevidekatriaphobia ranging from nervous giggles to pull-the-covers-over-your-head terror. He also estimates that US businesses will lose $ 750 million today because some people refuse to shop, travel or take risks on Friday the 13th.

— Martin J. Smith, "Friday the 13th fears don't really add up," Orange County Register, November 13, 1992

At 1 p.m. Thursday on Joe Galuski's WSYR-AM (570) mid-day show, Ralph Collier will be on hand to discuss the upcoming exhibit of 17th century artifacts at the Everson Museum. And at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Galuski and Don Dorsey will discuss the dreaded Paraskevidekatria Phobia — that's the fear of Friday the 13th.

— Brian G. Bourke, "WSEN joins the CBS radio network," The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), April 11, 1990

This tongue torturer appears to come from the Greek words paraskevi, Friday, and dekatria, thirteen, with the suffix -phobia tacked on for the fear factor.