Are you somewhat cowardly or afraid?
On February 3, 1983, a fascinating article appeared on page A5 of an unspecified publication, shedding light on a unique lexicon of phobias. This intriguing list was the work of Gilles Leclerc, a civil servant-terminologist, who claimed to have gathered these terms through investigations and observations of his own life and those around him.
Among the phobias listed, we find 'pisozomophobia', an irrational fear of pea soup. This term, derived from the Greek words 'pisos' (pea) and 'zomos' (broth, soup), is a specific fear that sets itself apart from the broader category of 'soupaphobia' or 'cibophobia' (fear of food).
Another interesting entry in the lexicon is 'fogliophobia', the fear of paper. This term, found in a complementary index on page 111, adds an intriguing dimension to our understanding of human fears.
Leclerc also provided synonyms for some phobias, although it is not specified whether these synonyms were included in the publication mentioned.
For those who may have a dislike for sports, Leclerc offers a series of terms to describe their girlfriends. If someone dislikes baseball, their girlfriend could be called a 'tetragoniospheriosphobe' or a 'rhombospheriosphobe'. If hockey is not their cup of tea, they might refer to their girlfriend as a 'pagodromagonophobe'.
The author of the article, expressing surprise at the use of taxpayers' money for such a lexicon, calls it futile nonsense. Despite this, the article acknowledges the entertainment value in exploring these unusual phobias, even going so far as to suspect that the reader may be illiterate due to the unusual topic.
The author thanks Michel Legault, a reviser at McGraw-Hill, for bringing the lexicon to his attention. This intriguing glimpse into human fears offers a fascinating insight into the breadth and depth of human emotions.
[1] It should be noted that the distinction between 'soupaphobia' and 'pisozomophobia' is not universally recognized, and the terms may sometimes be used interchangeably.
- Despite the author's skepticism, the unique lexicon of phobias, including 'fogliophobia' and the sports-related terms like 'pagodromagonophobe', offers an engaging form of entertainment.
- For bookworms who appreciate the quirky, the lexicon's distinction between 'pisozomophobia' and 'soupaphobia' provides an intriguing discussion topic, even though the terms' usage isn't universally consistent.
