Interesting Facts: Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

(fear of long words)

It sounds very funny but it is a fact that the term "Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia" is used for fear of long words.

Now just imagine that the the one who have this problem how it is difficult for him to name his own ailment.

But it is also true that if a person having problem of Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia Could handle the name of his phobia then he will no more remain a patient of this ailment.

You might surprise that The actual fear of long words is simply called sesquipedalophobia (a little better). Extra words are added with it just for irony.

Many experts have challenged its use, arguing that the term mocks its sufferers. Therefore, the term sesquipedaliophobia, or the fear of many syllables, is often used instead.

The Philosophy behind this is described as:

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia – fear of long words. Hippopoto- "big" due to its allusion to the Greek-derived word hippopotamus (though this is derived as hippo- "horse" compounded with potam-os "river", so originally meaning "river horse"; according to the Oxford English, "hippopotamine" has been construed as large since 1847, so this coinage is reasonable); -monstr- is from Latin words meaning "monstrous", -o- is a noun-compounding vowel; -sesquipedali- comes from "sesquipedalian" meaning a long word (literally "a foot and a half long" in Latin), -o- is a noun-compounding vowel, and -phobia means "fear". Note: This was mentioned on the first episode of Brainiac Series Five as one of Tickle's Teasers.

Although there have been no documented cases involving this particular phobia, experts have identified it as a type of anxiety disorder. As a result, treatment is readily available for individuals who suffer from the affliction.