Superstitions

Superstitions-old wives tales, folklore, bizarre beliefs, taboos, omens, lucky & unlucky things.

ACORN-An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.
AMBER-Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.
AMBULANCE-Seeing an ambulance is very unlucky unless you pinch your nose or hold your breath until you see a black or a brown dog.
APPLE-Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.
BABY-To predict the sex of a baby: Suspend a wedding band held by a piece of thread over the palm of the pregnant girl. If the ring swings in an oval or circular motion the baby will be a girl. If the ring swings in a straight line the baby will be a boy.
BASEBALL BAT-Spit on a new bat before using it for the first time to make it lucky.
BED-It's bad luck to put a hat on a bed. If you make a bedspread, or a quilt, be sure to finish it or marriage will never come to you. Placing a bed facing north and south brings misfortune. You must get out of bed on the same side that you get in or you will have bad luck When making the bed, don't interrupt your work, or you will spend a restless night in it.
BEE-If a bee enters your home, it's a sign that you will soon have a visitor. If you kill the bee, you will have bad luck, or the visitor will be unpleasant. A swarm of bees settling on a roof is an omen that the house will burn down.
BELL-The sound of bells drives away demons because they're afraid of the loud noise. When a bell rings, a new angel has received his wings.
BIRD-A bird in the house is a sign of a death. If a robin flies into a room through a window, death will shortly follow.
BIRTH-Monday's child is fair of face;
Tuesday's child is full of grace;
Wednesday's child is full of woe;
Thursday's child has far to go;
Friday's child is loving and giving;
Saturday's child works hard for a living.
But the child that is born on the Sabbath day is fair and wise, good and gay.
BIRTHDAY CAKE-If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff you will get your wish.
BLARNEY STONE-The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney.)
BLUE-To protects you from witches, wear a blue bead.
BREAD-Before slicing a new loaf of bread, make the sign of the cross on it. A loaf of bread should never be turned upside down after a slice has been cut from it.
BRIDE-(Bridal & wedding superstitions)
BRIDGE-If you say good-bye to a friend on a bridge, you will never see each other again.
BROOM-Do not lean a broom against a bed. The evil spirits in the broom will cast a spell on the bed. If you sweep trash out the door after dark, it will bring a stranger to visit. If someone is sweeping the floor and sweeps over your feet, you'll never get married. Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one. To prevent an unwelcome guest from returning, sweep out the room they stayed in immediately after they leave.
BUTTERFLY-If the first butterfly you see in the year is white, you will have good luck all year. Three butterflies together mean good luck.
CANDLE-If a candle lighted as part of a ceremony blows out, it is a sign that evil spirits are nearby.
CALF-If the first calf born during the winter is white, the winter will be a bad one.
CAT-If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it. Keep cats away from babies because they "suck the breath" of the child. A cat onboard a ship is considered to bring luck.
CHEEKS-If your cheeks suddenly feel on fire, someone is talking about you.
CHILL-If you get a chill up your back or goose bumps; it means that someone is walking over your grave.
CHIMNEY SWEEP-It's very lucky to meet a chimney sweep by chance. Make a wish when sighting one, and the wish will come true.
CIGARETTES-It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.
CIRCLE-Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.
CLOCK- If a clock which has not been working suddenly chimes; there will be a death in the family.
CLOVER-It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover. Clover protects human beings and animals from the spell of magicians and the wiles of fairies, and brings good luck to those who keep it in the house.
COIN- It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.
COMB-To drop a comb while you are combing your hair is a sign of a coming disappointment.
COUGH-To cure a cough: take a hair from the coughing person's head, put it between two slices of buttered bread, feed it to a dog, and say, "Eat well you hound, may you be sick and I be sound."
COW-Cows lifting their tails are a sure sign that rain is coming.
CRACK-Don't step on a crack on a sidewalk or walkway.
CRICKET-A cricket in the house brings good luck.
COUNTING CROWS-One's bad, Two's luck, Three's health, Four's wealth, Five's sickness, Six is death.
DANDELION-Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
DEATH-(Superstitions about death)
DOG-A dog howling at night when someone in the house is sick is a bad omen.
DOOR- It's bad luck to leave a house through a different door than the one used to come into it.
DREAMS-(The meaning of dreams and dream superstitions)
EARS-If your right ear itches, someone is speaking well of you. If your left ear itches, someone is speaking ill of you.
EASTER-For good luck throughout the year, wear new clothes on Easter.
ELEPHANT-Pictures of an elephant bring luck, but only if they face a door.
EYE- If your right eye twitches there will soon be a birth in the family. If the left eye twitches there will soon be a death in the family.
EYELASH- If an eyelash falls out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over your shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted.
FINGERNAILS-It is bad luck to cut your fingernails on Friday or Sunday. Fingernail cuttings should be saved, burned, or buried.
FISH-A fish should always be eaten from the head toward the tail. Dream of fish: someone you know is pregnant.
FISHING-Throw back the first fish you catch then you'll be lucky the whole day fishing. If you count the number of fish you caught, you will catch no more that day. It's bad luck to say the word "pig" while fishing at sea.
FLAG-It brings bad luck for a flag to touch the ground.
FLOWER-First Flower of spring: The day you find the first flower of the season can be used as an omen:
Monday means good fortune
Tuesday means greatest attempts will be successful,
Wednesday means marriage,
Thursday means warning of small profits,
Friday means wealth,
Saturday means misfortune,
Sunday means excellent luck for weeks.
FOOT-If the bottom of your right foot itches, you are going to take a trip.
FORK-To drop a fork means a man is coming to visit.
FRIDAY-A bed changed on Friday will bring bad dreams. Any ship that sails on Friday will have bad luck. You should never start a trip on Friday or you will meet misfortune. Never start to make a garment on Friday unless you can finish it the same day.
FRIDAY THE 13TH-how did Friday the thirteenth become such an unlucky day? Fear of Friday the 13th is rooted in ancient, separate bad-luck associations with the number 13 and the day Friday. The two unlucky entities combine to make one super unlucky day. Numerologists consider 12 a "complete" number. There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 apostles of Jesus. In exceeding 12 by 1, 13's association with bad luck has to do with just being a little beyond completeness.
FRIDAY THE 13TH-how is fear of the number thirteen demonstrated? More than 80 percent of high-rises lack a 13th floor. Many airports skip the 13th gate. Airplanes have no 13th aisle. Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13. Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery. On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half. Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue. In France, socialites known as the quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate. Many triskaidekaphobes, as those who fear the unlucky integer are known, point to the ill-fated mission to the moon, Apollo 13. If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck. Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.
FROG-A frog brings good luck to the house it enters. The dried body of a frog worn in a silk bag around the neck averts epilepsy and other fits.
GOOD FRIDAY-(The Friday before Easter)A child born on Good Friday and baptized on Easter Sunday has a gift of healing. If a boy, he should go into the ministry. Cut your hair on Good Friday to prevent headaches in the year to come. A person who dies on Good Friday will go right to heaven. Shed no blood on Good Friday, work no wood, and hammer no nail.
HAIR-Pulling out a gray or white hair will cause ten more to grow in its place.
HAND-If the palm of your right hand itches it means you will soon be getting money. If the palm of your left hand itches it means you will soon be paying out money.
HORSESHOE-A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home. In most of Europe protective horseshoes are placed in a downward facing position, but in some parts of Ireland and Britain people believe that the shoes must be turned upward or "the luck will run out." A horseshoe hung in the bedroom will keep nightmares away.
ITCH-If your nose itches you will soon be kissed by a fool.
IVY-Ivy growing on a house protects the inhabitants from witchcraft and evil.
KNIFE-A knife as a gift from a lover means that the love will soon end. A knife placed under the bed during childbirth will ease the pain of labor. If a friend gives you a knife, you should give him a coin, or your friendship will soon be broken. It will cause a quarrel if knives are crossed at the table. It is bad luck to close a pocket knife unless you were the one who opened it.
KNITTING-Its bad luck to leave a project unfinished. The intended recipient will get bad luck from the unfinished item. Stabbing your needles though your yarn balls brings bad luck to anyone who wears something made from that yarn. Don't knit a pair of socks for your boyfriend or he'll walk away from you. If you knit one of your own hairs into a garment, it will bind the recipient to you. Knitting for children you may have in the future, but before you are pregnant, is bad luck (it may prevent one from getting pregnant, or bring ill health to the baby).
LADDER-It is bad luck to walk under a ladder.
LADYBUG-If a young girl catches a ladybug and then releases it, the direction in which it flies away will be the direction from which her future husband will come. It is bad luck to kill a ladybug.
LEAF-If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.
LETTUCE-Lettuce is believed to have magical and healing properties, including the power to arouse love and counteract the effects of wine. Lettuce promotes child bearing if eaten by young women, and certain types of salad can bring on labor in pregnant women.
LIE-Cross my heart and hope to die, cut my throat if I tell a lie.
LIZARD-To dream of a lizard is a sign that you have a secret enemy.
MANDRAKE-Mandrake is a mysterious plant believed to have powers of preventing sterility in men and animals, causing barren women to bear children, and compelling love. Mandrake is thought to have aphrodisiac and fertilizing properties. Clairvoyants use mandrake to increase their visions to enable them to see strange and wonderful things.
MARRIAGE-(Wedding superstitions)
MILK-It's bad luck to let milk boil over.
MIRROR-To break a mirror means 7 years bad luck. It is unlucky to see your face in a mirror by candlelight. A mirror should be covered during a thunderstorm because it attracts lightning. If a mirror in the house falls and breaks by itself, someone in the house will die soon.
MISTLETOE-Mistletoe in the house protects it from thunder and lightning. It also cures many diseases, is an antidote to poison and brings good luck and fertility. A girl standing under mistletoe cannot refuse to be kissed by anyone who claims the privilege.
MOTH-A white moth inside the house or trying to enter the house means death.
NOSE-If your nose itches, someone is coming to see you. If it's the right nostril, the visitor will be a female, left nostril, male.
NUMBERS-See each individual number alphabetically.
ONION-An onion cut in half and placed under the bed of a sick person will draw off fever and poisons. A wish will come true if you make it while burning onions.
OPAL-Unless you were born in October, it's unlucky to wear opals.
OWL-It is bad luck to see an owl in the sunlight.
PENCIL-If you use the same pencil to take a test that you used for studying for the test, the pencil will remember the answers.
PEPPER-If you spill pepper you will have a serious argument with your best friend.
PHOTOGRAPH-If 3 people are photographed together, the one in the middle will die first.
RABBIT'S FOOT-A rabbit's foot will bring luck and protect the owner from evil spirits if carried in the pocket.
RAINBOW-A rainbow in the Eastern sky, the morrow will be fine and dry. A rainbow in the West that gleams, Rain tomorrow falls in streams.
RAVEN-To kill a raven is to harm the spirit of King Arthur who visits the world in the form of a raven.
RED-A red ribbon should be placed on a child who has been sick to keep the illness from returning.
ROBIN-A wish made upon seeing the first robin in spring will come true - but only if you complete the wish before the robin flies away.
ROCKING CHAIR-If you leave a rocking chair rocking when empty, it invites evil spirits to come into your house to sit in the rocking chair.
ROSEMARY-Rosemary planted by the doorstep will keep witches away.
SALT-Bad luck will follow the spilling of salt unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder into the face of the devil waiting there. Put salt on the doorstep of a new house and no evil can enter. Salty soup is a sign that the cook is in love.
SCISSORS-If you drop scissors, it means your lover is being unfaithful to you.
SEA GULL-Three seagulls flying together, directly overhead, are a warning of death soon to come. SEVEN-To break a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. The cure: to bury the pieces, or run them in a stream. The seventh son of a seventh son has magic powers, according to Irish folklore, but is a vampire in Romanian legend.
SHOES-Do not place shoes upon a table, for this will bring bad luck for the day, because trouble with your mate and you might even lose your job as a result. It's bad luck to leave shoes upside down.
SINGING-If you sing before seven, you will cry before eleven.
SLEEP-You sleep best with your head to the north and your feet to the south.
SNEEZE-Place a hand in front of your mouth when sneezing. Your soul may escape otherwise. The devil can enter your body when you sneeze. Having someone say, "God bless you," drives the devil away.
If you sneeze on a Monday, you sneeze for danger;
Sneeze on a Tuesday, kiss a stranger;
Sneeze on a Wednesday, sneeze for a letter;
Sneeze on a Thursday, something better;
Sneeze on a Friday, sneeze for sorrow;
Sneeze on a Saturday, see your sweetheart tomorrow.
Sneeze on a Sunday, and the devil will have domination over you all week.
SPARROW-Sparrows carry the souls of the dead; it's unlucky to kill one.
SPIDER-Seeing a spider run down a web in the afternoon means you'll take a trip. A spider is a repellent against plague when worn around the neck in a walnut shell.
STARS-All wishes on shooting stars come true.
SWAN-A swan's feather, sewed into the husband's pillow, will ensure fidelity.
THIRTEEN-If 13 people sit down at a table to eat; one of them will die before the year is over.
TONGUE-If you bite your tongue while eating, it is because you have recently told a lie.
UMBRELLA-Dropping an umbrella on the floor means that there will be a murder in the house. It's bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house, especially if you put it over your head.
VALENTINE'S DAY-If a woman sees a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day; it means she will marry a sailor. If she sees a sparrow, she will marry a poor man and be very happy. If she sees a goldfinch, she will marry a millionaire.
VEIL-A bride's veil protects her from evil spirits who are jealous of happy people.
WATERMELON-A watermelon will grow in your stomach if you swallow a watermelon seed.
WEATHER-Red sky at night, Sailor's delight. Red skies at morning Sailors take warning Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. Rain on the green grass Rain on the hillside, But not on me.
WEDDING-(Wedding superstitions)
WOOD-Knock three times on wood after mentioning good fortune so evil spirits won't ruin it.
WINDOW-All windows should be opened at the moment of death so that the soul can leave.
WISH-If you make a wish while throwing a coin into a well or fountain, the wish will come true. If you tell someone your wish, it won't come true.
WISHBONE-Two people pull apart the dried breastbone of a chicken or turkey until it cracks and breaks, each one making a wish while doing so. The person who gets the long half of the wishbone will have his or her wish come true.
X-The number of Xs in the palm of your right hand is the number of children you will have.
YAWN-A yawn is a sign that danger is near. Cover your mouth when you yawn, or your soul can go out of your body along with the yawn.

Superstitions about Death

BIRD-A bird in the house is a sign of a death. If a robin flies into a room through a window, death will shortly follow.
CANDLE-Light candles on the night after November 1st. One for each deceased relative should be placed in the window in the room where death occurred.
CEMETERY-You must hold your breath while going past a cemetery or you will breathe in the spirit of someone who has recently died.
CLOCK-If a clock which has not been working suddenly chimes, there will be a death in the family. You will have bad luck if you do not stop the clock in the room where someone dies.
CORPSE-If a woman is buried in black, she will return to haunt the family. If a dead person's eyes are left open, he'll find someone to take with him. Mirrors in a house with a corpse should be covered or the person who sees himself will die next.
DOG-Dogs howling in the dark of night, Howl for death before daylight.
DREAMS-If you dream of death it's a sign of a birth, if you dream of birth, it's a sign of death. If you touch a loved one who has died, you won't have dreams about them.
DYING-A person who dies on Good Friday will go right to heaven. A person who dies at midnight on Christmas Eve will go straight to heaven because the gates of heaven are open at that time. All windows should be opened at the moment of death so that the soul can leave. The soul of a dying person can't escape the body and go to heaven if any locks are locked in the house.
EYE-If the left eye twitches there will soon be a death in the family. If a dead person's eyes are left open, he'll find someone to take with him.
FUNERAL-Funerals on Friday portend another death in the family during the year. It's bad luck to count the cars in a funeral cortege. It's bad luck to meet a funeral procession head on. Thunder following a funeral means that the dead person's soul has reached heaven. Nothing new should be worn to a funeral, especially new shoes. Pointing at a funeral procession will cause you to die within the month. Pregnant women should not attend funerals.
GRAVE-If the person buried lived a good life, flowers will grow on the grave. If the person was evil, weeds will grow.
MIRROR-If a mirror in the house falls and breaks by itself, someone in the house will die soon.
MOTH-A white moth inside the house or trying to enter the house means death.
PHOTOGRAPH-If 3 people are photographed together, the one in the middle will die first.
THIRTEEN-If 13 people sit down at a table to eat; one of them will die before the year is over.
UMBRELLA-Dropping an umbrella on the floor means that there will be a murder in the house.

Superstitions about Dreams and Meanings of Dreams

WHEN you had the dream: Dreams at night are a devil's delight. Dreams in the morning, heed the angels' warning.
WHAT the dream was about:
ACORN-Dreaming of acorns predicts pleasant things & that much gain is to be expected. For a woman to dream of eating acorns denotes that she will rise to a position of ease & pleasure. To dream of shaking acorns from a tree means that you will rapidly attain your wishes in business or love.
AIRPORT-In a dream the sight of a busy airport represents the desire for freedom and/or travel. If the airport is empty and deserted your own travel plans will be changed or delayed.
ALMONDS-If you see almonds in your dream you'll have a temporary sorrow. If you ate and enjoyed them, you'll be lucky, but if they tasted bitter, you should delay any contemplated changes for as long as possible.
ANGELS-A favorable dream forecasting success, protection, happiness, and rewarding friendships.
BABY-To see a baby in your dream signifies innocence, warmth and new beginnings. A love affair may be blooming for you in your near future. You will also make new and fun friends. If a woman dreams she is nursing a baby, she will be deceived by the one she trusts the most
BALLOON-Seeing balloons in your dream indicates a dashing of hope on any and all fronts, business or love, as well as a general falling off of all kinds of businesses you may be involved in.
BEAR-To dream of killing a bear foretells liberation from entanglements.
BED-To dream of a clean, white bed denotes the end of worries. If a woman dreams of making a bed, there will soon be a new lover in her life.
BICYCLE-To dream of riding a bicycle uphill signifies bright prospects. To dream of riding downhill calls for care - misfortune is near.
BIRDS-Flying birds are a sign of prosperity to the dreamer.
BIRTH-If you dream of death it's a sign of a birth, if you dream of birth, it's a sign of death.
BUTTERFLY-To see a butterfly among flowers indicates prosperity. To see butterflies flying around denotes news from absent friends by letter or from someone who has seen them.
CANDLES-To see a candle burning with a clear and steady flame denotes the constancy of those around you and a well-grounded fortune.
CATS-Dreaming of a cat is a generally unfortunate omen and it shows treachery as well as a run of bad luck. Cats attacking you represent enemies; if you succeed banishing them you will overcome great obstacles and rise in fortune and fame.
CROW-Seeing a crow in your dream means disappointment in everything, grief and misfortune.
CROWN-To dream of a crown predicts a change in your life. The dreamer will travel a long distance from home & form new relationships.
DEATH-If you dream of death it's a sign of a birth, if you dream of birth, it's a sign of death.
DANCING-To dream that you are dancing means that some unexpected good fortune will come to you.
DECEASED PERSON-If you should dream of a deceased person and this person speaks only to you, pay close attention to what the spirit is telling you as it could be very important to you. To dream of seeing a deceased person is normally a dream of warning, and it tells you that the influences around you at this time do not bode well for your affairs, and you should not enter into any binding contracts or verbal agreements.
DIAMONDS-To dream of owning diamonds is a very promising dream signifying great honor and recognition from high places.
DOG-To dream about a dog indicates great gain and constant friends. To hear the barking of dogs foretells news of depressing nature. Difficulties are more likely to follow.
DRAGONFLY-If you dream that a dragonfly lands on your body then you will have excellent news from someone far away from home. If you see a dead dragonfly, then the news will be bad. A dragonfly perched gracefully on some other object shows that you will soon be having guests that may be hard to get rid of.
DRIVING-If you dream that you are driving a vehicle it is a sign that you should be careful to take no chances with your money, such as gambling, in the next two weeks or so. If someone else is doing the driving you will find yourself in luck, money wise.
FACE-To dream of a smiling face signifies pleasant new friends, experiences, and/or financial gains. To dream of unpleasant or grotesque (unless amusingly so) faces portend loss. To dream you are washing your face denotes a necessity to atone for some past indiscretion; better make amends! To see the faces of strangers signifies an approaching change of residence.
FALLING-To dream of falling indicates a loss of emotional equilibrium or self-control. It may represent your insecurity, a lack of self-confidence, a fear of failure or an inability to cope with a situation. If you fall a long distance in your dream and get hurt, be prepared for really hard times ahead; but if you fall and are not injured your upsets will be minor and temporary.
GANG-To dream that you are confronted or threatened by a gang signifies circumstances or situations in your waking life which are overwhelming and you feel have ganged up on you.
GARDEN-To see a vegetable garden in your dream symbolizes increased prosperity will come your way through diligence and care. It also suggests of stability and inner growth. To see a flower garden in your dream foretells of tranquility, comfort, true love and happy home in your future. To see a sparse, weed-infested garden denotes that you have neglected your spiritual needs.
GLOVES-To dream of gloves means that you will have a lawsuit or business troubles, but you will settle them in a manner that satisfies you. To find a pair of gloves denotes a marriage or new love affair.
HAIR-Dreaming about hair means that you are careless in your personal affairs and will lose advancement by neglecting mental application.
HAIRDRESSER-For a woman to dream of going to a hairdresser shows she will soon be entangled in some family scandal concerning the morals of a member of her family. Should she have her hair dyed, she will narrowly escape imprisonment. For a man to dream of a hairdresser will presage much gossip or a need to dominate a beautiful woman.
HAM-If you dream of eating ham then you will lose something that means a lot to you.
HONEY-To dream of eating honey foretells that you will attain wealth and love.
ICE-Sitting on ice in your dreams is a dream of the contrary.
ICE CREAM-Eating, making, selling or serving ice cream suggests that you are feeling contentment and satisfaction in your life.
JAIL-To dream that your lover is in jail signifies that this lover is deceitful and untrustworthy. To dream that you are in jail signifies your feelings of confinement and suffocation.
JAM-If you dream of eating jam you will suffer embarrassment at the hands of a woman through no fault of your own.
KANGAROO-Seeing a kangaroo in your dreams foretells unexpected and exciting trips.
KEYS-To dream of keys denotes unexpected change. If the keys are lost, unpleasant adventures will affect you. To find keys means domestic peace and success in business.
KILLING-If you dreamed of killing someone, whether intentionally or by accident, it signifies a period of severe emotional stress during which you must make a heroic effort to control your temper.
LETTER-To dream of receiving a letter from a friend foretells their arrival or that you will hear from them soon.
LIGHTS-A light shining out of the dark, or a flashlight beam, shows that you will finally find the truth in a situation or the answer to a personal problem that you have been searching for. If the light is dim, you will only find part of the solution.
MAGIC-Any form of magic in a dream predicts unexpected changes. To dream of being mystified and/or amused by a magician indicates a reunion with a long-lost friend or the rekindling of a past love affair.
MARRIAGE-Dreaming of a marriage, or a wedding, is the sign of a death in the family. If the marriage was between strangers, then the death pertains to a not too close acquaintance or friend.
MICE-Dreaming of mice foretells domestic troubles or those business affairs will assume a discouraging tone. If you dream of a mouse jumping on you or getting in your clothing, then you will be involved in a scandal with a friend.
MONKEY-To dream of a monkey denotes that you have deceitful friends who will flatter you to advance their own interests.
NECK-A dream featuring the neck is a sign of approaching money, unless the dream concerned a broken neck, in which case it is a warning against mismanagement of your affairs.
NECKLACE-If you dream of losing a necklace you will soon be suffering bereavement of a loved one. If you dream your loved one place a necklace around your neck or that you are wearing one, it shows an early marriage and a happy domestic life.
NEEDLE-To find a needle predicts that you will have friends who appreciate you. To look for a needle foretells useless worries.
OAK TREE-To dream of an old, spreading oak means long life and prosperity. If it is filled with acorns you are due a promotion or some type of increase in your life. If a newlywed sees many oak trees in a forest it foretells a long marriage and many children.
OCEAN-If you dream you are standing on shore and watching the waves foam up as they break over the beach foretells that you will have some narrow escape from an accidental injury. If you are far out on the ocean and hear the waves as they lap against the hull of the ship, you will have setbacks in your business and a troubled domestic scene. To sail on a calm ocean is always a good omen for all concerned.
OWL-To dream of an owl denotes a narrow escape from desperate illness or death.
RACCOON-To dream of a raccoon warns you to be on your guard.. To see a raccoon in your dream shows that people are presenting false faces to you in your everyday life. To be chased by a raccoon shows that a person you thought a friend has turned on you and now works behind your back for your downfall.
RAPE-Take this dream as a warning. Take precautions, protect yourself emotionally and physically and don't engage in careless behaviors.
ROSE-If a woman dreams of receiving a rose and places it in her hair then will she be deceived by someone thought of as a good friend. If she receives a bouquet of roses in the Springtime she will find true love but if it is winter her search will be fruitless. To see a rose bush in full foliage denotes a wedding in the family.
RUNNING-Dream of running: a sign of a big change in your life.
SNAKES-To see a lone snake and feel threatened by it shows that you have a bad enemy that is working against you. It’s also a warning against bodily harm from an enemy. To dream of many snakes in a pit is the foreboding of much bad luck in love or business. Should you overcome and kill a threatening snake in your dream shows that you will overcome your adversary and win out.
SPIDERS-All spiders except tarantulas are omens of good luck. The larger the spider, the bigger the rewards. If you see a spider climbing the wall you will have your dearest wish come true. If you see a spider spinning a web you will have an increase in your income due to hard work.
TATTOOS-If you dream you are a tattoo artist and you are tattooing someone's body you will soon break with friends or family over strange practices. If you dream you are the one being tattooed you will become the target for a strangers jealousy but if you see someone else with tattoos then you will take a long, hard journey from home.
TEA-To dream that you are thirsty for tea means that you will be surprised with uninvited guests.
TEETH-If you dream of having false teeth this indicates that you will have unexpected help on a problem. To dream of rotten teeth shows that you have been telling someone a lie or using your smooth words for getting your own way. If your teeth are rotten, crooked, and/or falling out this means that your lies are hurting someone very badly and that you will soon be found out. If you dream you have swallowed a tooth you will soon have too 'eat your words'.
UMBRELLA-Carrying a closed umbrella in the rain is highly unfortunate for the dreamer and his business plans. To dream of carrying an open umbrella in the rain is a very fortunate sign that speaks of good luck in most endeavors. A leaky umbrella denotes quarrels with loved ones.
WATER-Dreaming of clear water is a sign of great good luck and prosperity, a dream of muddy water foretells sadness or sorry for the dreamer through hearing of an illness or death of someone he/she knows well. Dirty water warns of unscrupulous people who would bring you to ruin.
YARN-To dream of yarn shows you will soon become the wife of a wealthy man.

Superstitions about Weddings and Wedding Day Superstitions and Traditions:

BRIDAL SHOWER-The first gift the bride opens should be the first gift she uses. Everything the bride says as she opens her gifts will be repeated on her wedding night. Someone should be assigned to write down these comments during the shower. The person who gives the third gift to be opened will soon have a baby. Save the ribbons from the shower gifts to make a mock bouquet to be used at the wedding rehearsal.
WEDDING DAY-Certain days of the week, and certain months of the year are better than others for a wedding.
Monday for health,
Tuesday for wealth,
Wednesday best of all,
Thursday for losses,
Friday for crosses,
Saturday for no luck at all.

Married when the year is new, he'll love, kind & true.
When February birds do mate, you neither wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden & for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed must labor for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.

Married in White, you have chosen right
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Blue, you will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
Married in Pink, you spirit will sink.

Good Omens:
Seeing a rainbow
Having the sun shine
Meeting a black cat
Meeting a chimney sweep

Bad Omens:
A pig, hare, or lizard running across the road
Seeing an open grave
Meeting a nun or a monk foretell barrenness

If the groom drops the wedding band during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed. The new bride must enter her home by the main door, and must not trip or fall - hence the custom of carrying the bride over the threshold. The spouse who goes to sleep first on the wedding day will be the first to die. If a single woman sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband.

25 Reasons I owe my Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC. " Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS . "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER . "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING . "You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR . "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS . "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU" !!!

Life lessons

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

left-right brain dominance (compatibility mode)

Left

Sequential
Intellectual
Structure/planned
Controls feelings
Analytical
Logical
Remembers names
Rational
Solves problems by breaking them apart
Time-oriented
Auditory/visual learner
Prefers to write and talk
Follows spoken directions
Talks to think and learn
Prefers T/F, multiple-choice and matching tests
Takes few risks (with control)
Looks for the differences
Controls right side of body
Thinks mathematically
Language
Thinks of one thing at a time

Right

Holistic
Intuitive
Spontaneous
Lets feelings go
Creative/responsive
More abstract
Remembers faces
More likely to act on emotions
Solves problems by looking at the whole
Spatially oriented
Kinesthetic learner
Prefers to draw and handle objects
Follows written or demonstrated directions
“pictures” things to think and learn
Prefers essay tests
Takes more risks (less control)
Controls left side of body
Musical abilities
Emotional
Thinks simultaneously

learning modalities

Visual

-use guided imagery
-form pictures in your mind
-take notes
-see parts of words
-use “cue” words
-use notebooks
-use color codes
-use study cards
-use photographic pictures
-watch TV
-watch filmstrips
-use maps
-demonstrate
-draw/use drawings
-use exhibits
-watch lips move in front of mirror
-use mnemonics

Auditory

-use tapes
-watch TV
-listen to music
-speak/listen to speakers
-make up rhymes/poems
-read aloud
-talk to yourself
-repeat things orally
-use rhythmic sounds
-have discussions
-listen carefully
-use oral directions
-sound out words
-use theater
-say words in syllables
-use mnemonics

Kinesthetic

-pace/walk as you study
-physically “do it”
-practice by repeated motion
-breathe slowly
-role play
-exercise
-dance
-write
-write on surfaces with finger
-take notes
-associate feelings with concept/information
-write lists repeatedly
-stretch/move in chair
-watch lips move in front of mirror-use mnemonics

Drinking deffinitions

Drunk-adj. Suffering from vision, hearing & speech impairment, with an insatiable appetite for pizza. Infatuated with anyone and everyone. Possession an illogical belief that he/she is gorgeous despite dribbling and slobbering.

Hung-over-adj. Suffering from near death like state, often catatonic, and always with a pounding headache. Unbalanced with no sense of humor. Needs total silence and another drink!

Plastered-adj. Extremely generous, loud, and confident. Suffering from prolong talkativeness and a belief that he/she can drink anyone under the table.

Wasted-adj. Invincible but incapable. Suffering from extreme loss of balance,
co-coordination, and sex appeal. Liable to sleep anywhere. Blabbering incoherently with loss of most body functions.

Tipsy-adj. The usual signs are a flushed face, stupid grin, loud voice, and a profound love for man kind. The suffer is incredibly deep, intelligent and insightful, but prone to giggles.

Characteristics of learning styles

Visual

mind sometimes strays during verbal activities
observes rather than talks or acts
organized in approach to tasks
likes to read
usually a good speller
memorizes by seeing graphics and pictures
not too distractible
finds verbal instructions difficult
has good handwriting
remembers faces
uses advanced planning
doodles
quiet by nature
meticulous, neat in appearance
notices details

Auditory

talks to self aloud
enjoys talking
easily distracted
has more difficulty with written directions
likes to be read to
memorizes by steps in a sequence
enjoys music
whispers to self while reading
remembers faces
easily distracted by noises
hums or sings
outgoing by nature
enjoys listening activities

Kinesthetic

likes physical rewards
in motion most of the time
likes to touch people when talking to them
taps pencil or foot while studying
enjoys doing activities
reading is not a priority
poor speller
likes to solve problems by physically working through them
will try new things
outgoing by nature; expresses emotions through physical means
uses hands while talking
dresses for comfort
enjoys handling objects

what your name means

AARON'S are good looking asswipes
ABBY'S are stupid bitches
ABRAHAM'S (AB'S) are pimps
ADAM'S are stupid wannabes
ALAN'S are jerks
ALEX'S masculine but lazy
ALEXANDRIA'S are smart
ALEXIS'S are mean and too smart
ALFRED'S are dorks
ALLISON'S are bitches
ALICE'S are sweet
ALICIA'S say they've had sex but they surehaven't
ALYSSA'S are quite and smart
AMORY'S are madd cool and funny
AMY'S dump their old friends when someone new comes along
AMANDA'S are geeks
ANDRE(A)'S are stupid whores
ANDREW'S are medium height and try to beplayers but end up playin themselves
ANGEL'S can't take a joke
ANGELA'S are quiet and seem a little dorky
ANNA'S are cute
ANDY'S are very obnoctious
ANNIE'S are nice and cute
ANTHONY'S are really good looking
APRIL'S are fat and dorks
ASHLEY'S are alright
AUSTIN'S are stupid
BARBARA'S have big boobs and flaunt them
BEAU'S are ugly
BECKY'S are small
BEN(JAMIN)'S are fat and sporty
BETH'S are skinny and small but nice
BETTY'S are rip off's
BLAKE'S are loud and mean
BLAIR'S are flirts but funny
BILLY'S are big-boned and nerds
BOBBY'S are fat asses
BRAD'S are very egotistical
BRANDON'S have big heads
BRETT'S are tall and nice
BRENT'S are short and popular
BRYAN'S- hotties
BRIAN'S- annoying , but nice and cute
BRIANNE'S are good 3 point shooters
BRITTINAY'S - are weirdos
BRITTANY'S - are sensititve and awesome
BROOK(E)'S are athletic
CALVIN'S are funny
CARL'S are short and chunky
CAROLINE'S are good friends
CASEY'S are stupid show offs
CATHY'S are loud
CHARLES' are always broke
CHERI'S are bitches
CHRIS' are true actors
CHRISTIAN'S need to loosen up
CHRISTINA'S are sweet, funny, hottt and caring
CHRISTINE'S are way possesive but cool to their friends
COLLEEN'S are cool
COURTNEY'S are funny but serious
CRAIG'S are sweet, hott and popular
CRYSTAL'S are beautiful but too picky
DANA'S are not shy at all
DAN'S are preppy assholes
DANICA'S are unusual there are not thatmany of them
DANIEL'S are addicted to weed
DANIELLE'S are stupid crackhead sluts
DANNY'S are quiet and playas
DAVID'S, DAVE'S are NOT short and cute*HOWEVER, THEY ARE TALL, SMART AND FUNNY EX. ME, DAVE ROSS, DAVE BERGER...END OF STORY
DEAN'S are dorks
DEBBIE'S are cool but are hard to believe sometimes
DIANNE'S are cheap
DONNA'S are short and fat
DUSTIN'S are quiet and weird
DUSTYN'S are cool and artistic
EDWARD'S are weak
EILEEN'S are ugly and stuck up
ELLIOT'S are calm, cool, and collective
ELIZABETH'S have the coolest numbers andcan do what they pleeze (have phatt partiestoo)..not really
ELYSSA'S are popular, hot, dance good andeverything else!
EMILY'S are probably nice but to me shes a bitch
ERIC'S are devoted to the one they love
ERIK'S are pretty cool
ETHAN'S are funny
EURIPEDE'S love to rip off their clothes
FRANK'S try to steal your WOMAN
GARY'S are so sweet and shy
GINA'S ain't playa's, they just fuck a lot
GREG'S like to crawl
HANNA(H)'S are ANOREXIC
HEATHER'S are unappealling
HEIDI'S are dumb cheerleaders (or will be)
HELEN'S are sluts who steals boyfriends
HOLLY'S are whores w/ no lives
IAN'S are crazy
IRENE'S like to fight
JACKIE'S are all out stuck up bitches
JACOB'S has alot of friends
JAMES are freaky
JAMIE'S like long relationships
JANET'S are crack heads
JASON'S need to get a life of their own
JESSICA'S get into to much trouble but are smart and pretty
JENNIFER'S are wicked smart and cool and hella nice and sexy......right on...!!!
JERRY'S are wannabe jnco wearers
JILL'S are usually hot and have the bestpersonality's!
JOE'S are funny as sh*t
JOEY'S are hotties and are the sweetest
JONATHAN'S are funny and semi cute
JOSEPH'S like to have a good time
JOSE'S are mad phat and ill, they should beloved a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
JOSH(UA)'S are fun to be with
JULIA'S are phly
JULIE'S are stubborn brats
JUSTIN'S are hot and get what ever they want...HELL NO
KAREN'S have big noses
KARLIE'S are bitches
KATELYN'S are pretty smart and talented
KATE'S are weird and are sh*ts
KATHLEEN'S, are fun and pretty
KATHY'S are friendly but tomboyz
KATIE'S are wacked out
KAITLIN'S, are just awesome
KEITH'S are nice, funny, and good natured
KERRI'S are back stabbing biatches..like Campbell
KELLY'S are Beautiful, funny, smart, andTHAT'S IT
KENT'S are quiet and dorks
KEVIN'S are loaded with cash, and hot ashell
KIM'S are too smart for their own good
KRISTY'S are little bitches
KRISTEN'S are beautiful, sexy and smart
KYLE'S are freaks
LAUREN'S are skinny and try to get around
LAURA'S they are awsome and get w/ thecutest guys
LEAH'S are nice
LESLIE'S are lil hoochies
LINDA'S are dirty sluts
LINDSAY's are HOT! AND ARE GREAT theyare also smart and funny but get into trouble
LYNZEE'S are weird
LISA'S worry way too much
MARCUS' are funny
MARIA'S are daring know how to have fun
MARGERET'S are worry freaks but are way cool
MARINA'S are good basketball players
MARK'S only wants sex 24/7
MARTIN'S are very athletic
MARY'S are sweet and everyones friend
MARYBETH'S are nice and have big hearts
MATT'S are sweet guys
MELANIE'S are cute and sweet
MELISSA'S are bitches and everyone knows it
MEGAN'S are the coolest gals and they always make u smile
MIA'S are sweet and funny
MICHAEL'S are mischievous but hella cool to chill with
MICHELLE'S are liked but don't know how towalk out her front door
MIKE'S are cuties and really good friends
MINDY'S are sluts who has no friends
MOLLIE'S are Stalkers
MONICA'S have alot of boyfriends and do presidents
MORGAN'S never shut up
NANCY'S jock ANTHONY'S
NATALIE'S cry about everything
NICK'S are cute but egotisical
NICOLE'S are way too nice and sweet and get what ever guy she wants
NIKKI'S are cool but have attitudes
PATRICK'S are hella buff
PATTY'S are cuties
PAUL'S are butterballs....in a good way!
PETER'S are cute, but too old
RACHAEL'S are pretty and popular but full of it
RHIANNON'S are bitch goddesses
RICARDO'S are players never trust them
RICHARD'S are funny but sometimes mean
RICHIE'S are gorgeous and rich
RICK'S have big noses
RICKY'S are antisocial
ROBERT'S have huge shoes
RON'S are hotties
ROSEMARY'S like to drink
RYAN'S are Hot, Funny, Smart, Nice, & sweet (just perfect lol)
SAMANTHA'S are sluts, but they know howto have a good time
SARAH'S are Good friends
SHANNON'S are unique
SHAWN'S are weird and wear eye liner
STACEY'S jocks everyone
STEPHANIE'S are mad kool, not uptight, popular
STEVEN'S (STEVE'S) are lil rich boys
TEWART'S are ugly
SUMMER'S are assholes
SUSAN'S are ugly
SUZANNE'S are pretty and funny
TAMMY'S are wicked nice
TARA'S are pretty and nice
TERRY'S are smart asses
THEA'S are outgoing and friendly
THEO'S are indepth
TIM'S are drug addicts
TOMMY'S are nice but conceited
TONY'S are sexy Italion Stallions
TROY'S are nice but conceited
TRACI'S love to laugh
TYLER'S cool and funny and can be perverts
VICTORIA'S are sluts
VANESSA'S are shy and are bitches
VINCENT'S are dorks
WENDY'S are psycho and are fat
WHITNEY'S are shady but pretty
WILLIAM'S has alot of friends
ZACK'S are talkative and athletic

Phobias

A
Ablutophobia - Fear of washing or bathing.
Acarophobia - Fear of itching or of insects whose bites cause itching.

Acerophobia - Fear of sourness.
Achluophobia, Lygophobia, Nyctophobia, Scotophobia - Fear of darkness.
Acousticophobia- Fear of noise.

Acrophobia, Altophobia - Fear of heights.
Aerophobia - Fear of flying, drafts, air swallowing or airborne noxious substances.
Aeroacrophobia - Fear of open high places.
Aeronausiphobia - Fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness.
Afrophobia, fear or dislike of Africans or African culture or people of African ancestry
Agateophobia, Dementophobia, Maniaphobia - Fear of insanity.
Agliophobia, Algophobia, Odynophobia, Odynephobia - Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia - Fear of the outdoors, crowds or uncontrolled social conditions.
Agraphobia, Contreltophobia - Fear of sexual abuse.
Agrizoophobia - Fear of wild animals.
Agyrophobia, Dromophobia - Fear of streets or crossing the street.
Aibohphobia - Fear of palindromes (not necessarily an actual word; aiboh is not of course Greek or Latin for Palindrome, but is simply intended to make the word itself palindromic)
Aichmophobia, Belonephobia, Enetophobia - Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Ailurophobia, Elurophobia, Felinophobia, Galeophobia, Gatophobia - Fear of cats.
Albuminurophobia - Fear of kidney disease.
Alektorophobia - Fear of chickens.
Alliumphobia - the abnormal fear of garlic that may extend to a variety of plants characterized by their pungent odor including onions, leeks, chives, and shallots. Allium is the onion genus.
Allodoxaphobia - Fear of opinions.
Amathophobia, Koniophobia - Fear of dust.
Amaxophobia - Fear of riding in a car.
Ambulophobia, Stasibasiphobia, Stasiphobia - Fear of walking or standing.
Androphobia - Fear of men.
Anemophobia - Fear of air.
Amerophobia, Columbophobia - Fear of the United States, American culture, etc.
Amnesiphobia - Fear of amnesia.
Amychophobia - Fear of scratches or being scratched.
Anablephobia - Fear of looking up.
Ancraophobia, Anemophobia - Fear of wind.
Androphobia, Arrhenphobia, Hominophobia - Fear of men.
Anginophobia - Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Anglophobia - Fear of England, English culture, etc.
Angrophobia - Fear of anger or of becoming angry.
Ankylophobia - Fear of immobility of a joint.
Anthrophobia, Anthophobia - Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia - Fear of people or society.
Antidaeophobia - Fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you (fictional, from Gary Larson cartoon).
Antlophobia - Fear of floods.
Anuptaphobia - Fear of staying single.
Apeirophobia - Fear of infinity.
Aphenphosmphobia, Chiraptophobia, Haphephobia, Haptephobia - Fear of being touched.
Apiphobia, Melissaphobia, Melissophobia - Fear of bees.
Apotemnophobia - Fear of persons with amputations.
Aquaphobia - Fear of water, specifically the morbid fear of drowning.
Arachibutyrophobia - Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Arcanophobia - Fear of magic
Arachnophobia - Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia - Fear of numbers.
Arsonphobia, Pyrophobia - Fear of fire.
Asthenophobia - Fear of fainting or weakness.
Astraphobia, Astrapophobia, Brontophobia, Keraunophobia - Fear of thunder and lightning. It is especially common in young children.
Astrophobia - Fear of stars and celestial space.
Asymmetriphobia - Fear of asymmetry.
Ataxiophobia - Fear of ataxia.
Ataxophobia - Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia - Fear of imperfection.
Atephobia - Fear of ruin or ruins.
Athazagoraphobia - Fear of being forgotten, ignored or forgetting.
Atomosophobia - Fear of atomic explosions.
Atychiphobia, Kakorrhaphiophobia - Fear of failure.
Aulophobia - Fear of flutes.
Aurophobia - Fear of gold.
Auroraphobia - Fear of the Northern Lights or for Chileans, Argentinians, Falkland Islanders or Antarctic explorers, fear of the Southern Lights.
Australophobia, Novahollandiaphobia - Fear of Australia, Australians, Australian culture etc.
Autodysomophobia - Fear that one has a vile odour.
Automatonophobia - Fear of any inanimate object that represents a sentient being, eg. statues, dummies, robots, etc.
Automysophobia - Fear of being dirty.
Autophobia, Eremophobia, Ermitophibia, Isolophobia, Monophobia - Fear of being alone or fear of oneself.
Aviophobia, Aviatophobia, Pteromerhanophobia - Fear of flying.

B
Bacillophobia, Microbiophobia - Fear of microbes.
Bacteriophobia - Fear of bacteria.
Ballistophobia - Fear of missiles or bullets.
Barleyphobia - Fear of barley.
Bananaphobia - Fear of bananas.
Bolshephobia - Fear of Bolsheviks.
Barophobia - Fear of loss of gravity.
Basophobia, Basiphobia - Fear of walking or falling.
Bathmophobia - Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
Bathophobia - Fear of depth.
Batophobia - Fear of heights or of being close to high buildings.
Batrachophobia - Fear of amphibians.
Belonephobia - Fear of sharply pointed objects, such as needles.
Bibliophobia - Fear of books.
Blennophobia, Myxophobia - Fear of slime.
Bogyphobia - Fear of bogies or the bogeyman.
Botanophobia - Fear of plants.
Briophobia- Fear of the human foot.
Bromidrosiphobia, Bromidrophobia - Fear of body odours.
Brontophobia, Tonitrophobia - Fear of thunder.
Bufonophobia - Fear of toads.
Button phobia - Fear of buttons.

C
Cacophobia - Fear of ugliness.
Cainophobia, Cainotophobia, Cenophobia, Centophobia, Kainolophobia, Kainophobia, Neophobia - Fear of newness, novelty.
Caligynephobia, Venustraphobia - Fear of beautiful women.
Cancerophobia, Carcinophobia - Fear of cancer.
Carbophobia - Fear of carbohydrates (e.g. Atkins diet).
Cardiophobia - Fear of heart disease.
Carnophobia - Fear of meat.
Catagelophobia, Katagelophobia - Fear of being ridiculed.
Catapedaphobia - Fear of jumping from high and low places.
Cathisophobia, Kathisophobia, Thaasophobia - Fear of sitting.
Catoptrophobia - Fear of mirrors.
Cenophobia - Fear of empty rooms.
Chaetophobia, Trichopathophobia, Trichophobia, Hypertrichophobia - Fear of hair.
Cheimaphobia, Cheimatophobia, Psychrophobia - Fear of cold.
Chelonaphobia - Fear of turtles.
Chemophobia - Fear of chemicals or working with chemicals.
Cherophobia - Fear of gaiety.
Chinophobia - Fear of Chinese people, customs, etc.
Chionophobia - Fear of snow.
Chirophobia - Fear of hands.
Chlorophobia - Fear of the colour green.
Cholerophobia - Fear of anger or the fear of cholera.
Chorophobia - Fear of dancing.
Christophobia - Fear of Christianity
Chrometophobia, Chrematophobia - Fear of money.
Chromophobia, Chromatophobia - Fear of colours.
Chronomentrophobia - Fear of clocks.
Chronophobia - Fear of time.
Chrysophobia - Fear or the color orange.
Cibophobia, Sitophobia, Sitiophobia - Fear of food.
Claustrophobia - Fear of confined spaces.
Cleithrophobia, Cleisiophobia - Fear of being locked in an enclosed place.
Cleptophobia, Kleptophobia - Fear of stealing.
Climacophobia - Fear of stairs or of climbing or falling down stairs.
Clinophobia - Fear of going to bed.
Clithrophobia, Cleithrophobia - Fear of being enclosed.
Cnidophobia - Fear of stings.
Coimetrophobia - Fear of cemeteries.
Coitophobia, Genophobia - Fear of coitus.
Cometophobia - Fear of comets.
Commitmentphobia - Fear of commitments.
Coprastasophobia - Fear of constipation.
Coprophobia, Fecophobia, Scatophobia - Fear of feces.
Coulrophobia - Fear of clowns.
Counterphobia - The preference by a phobic person for fearful situations.
Cremnophobia - Fear of precipices.
Cryophobia - Fear of extreme cold, ice or frost.
Crystallophobia - Fear of crystals or glass.
Cyanophobia - Fear of the colour blue.
Cyberphobia, Logizomechanophobia - Fear of computers or working on a computer.
Cyclophobia - Fear of bicycles.
Cymophobia, Kymophobia - Fear of waves or wave-like motions.
Cynophobia - Fear of dogs or rabies.
Cypridophobia, Cypriphobia, Cyprianophobia, Cyprinophobia - Fear of prostitutes or venereal disease.

D
Decidophobia - Fear of making decisions.
Defecaloesiophobia - Fear of painful bowel movements.
Deipnophobia - Fear of dining or dinner conversations.
Demonophobia, Daemonophobia - Fear of demons.
Demophobia, Enochlophobia, Ochlophobia - Fear of crowds.
Dendrophobia - Fear of trees.
Dentophobia - Fear of dentists.
Dermatophobia - Fear of skin lesions.
Dermatosiophobia, Dermatophobia, Dermatopathophobia - Fear of skin disease.
Dextrophobia - Fear of objects at the right side of the body.
Diabetophobia - Fear of diabetes.
Didaskaleinophobia, Scolionophobia - Fear of going to school.
Dikephobia - Fear of justice.
Dinophobia - Fear of dizziness or whirlpools.
Diplophobia - Fear of double vision.
Dipsophobia - Fear of drinking.
Dishabiliophobia - Fear of undressing in front of someone.
Domatophobia, Eicophobia, Oikophobia - Fear of houses or being in a house.
Doraphobia - Fear of fur or the skins of animals.
Doxophobia - Fear of expressing opinions or receiving praise.
Dutchphobia - Fear of the Dutch.
Dysmorphophobia - Fear of deformity.
Dystychiphobia - Fear of accidents.

E
Ecclesiophobia - Fear of church.
Ecophobia - Fear of home.
Eisoptrophobia - Fear of mirrors or of seeing oneself in a mirror.
Electrophobia - Fear of electricity.
Eleutherophobia - Fear of freedom.
Emetophobia - Fear of vomiting.
Enetophobia - Fear of pins.
Enosiophobia, Enissophobia - Fear of having committed an unpardonable sin or of criticism.
Entomophobia, Insectophobia - Fear of insects. (Also the orchid genus Entomophobia)
Eosophobia - Fear of dawn or daylight.
Ephebiphobia - Fear of teenagers.
Epistaxiophobia - Fear of nosebleeds.
Epistemophobia, Gnosiophobia - Fear of knowledge.
Epistolophobia - Fear of writing letters
Equinophobia, Hippophobia - Fear of horses.
Ereuthrophobia, Erythrophobia, Erytophobia - Fear of blushing, red lights, or the colour red.
Ergasiophobia - Fear of work or functioning, or a surgeon's fear of operating.
Ergophobia - Fear of work.
Ermitophobia - Fear of being alone, loneliness.
Erotophobia - Fear of sexual love or sexual questions.
Erythrophobia - Fear of blushing or the color red.
Euphobia - Fear of hearing good news.
Eurotophobia - Fear of female genitalia.
Europhobia - Fear of Europe, Europeans, or alternatively, the European Union.

F
Fearaphobia - Fear of the word fear.
Febriphobia, Fibriphobia, Fibriophobia, Pyrexiophobia - Fear of fever.
Fecophobia, Coprophobia, Scatophobia - Fear of feces.
Ferrumphobia - Fear of Iron and objects made of iron.
Francophobia, Gallophobia, Galiophobia - Fear of France, French culture, etc.
Frigophobia - Fear of very cold objects.

G
Gamophobia - Fear of marriage.
Galeophobia - Fear of sharks.
Gatophobia - Fear of cats.
Geliophobia - Fear of laughter.
Geniophobia - Fear of chins.
Genuphobia - Fear of knees.
Gephyrophobia, Gephydrophobia, Gephyrdrophobia, Gephysrophobia - Fear of crossing bridges.
Gerascophobia - Fear of growing old.
Germanophobia, Teutophobia - Fear of Germany, German culture, etc.
Gerontophobia - Fear of old people or of growing old.
Geumaphobia, Geumophobia - Fear of taste.
Glossophobia - Fear of speaking in public or of trying to speak.
Globophobia - Fear of balloons
Graphophobia - Fear of writing or handwriting.
Gymnophobia, Nudophobia - Fear of nudity.
Gynephobia, Gynophobia - Fear of women.

H
Hadephobia, Stygiophobia, Stigiophobia - Fear of hell.
Haemophobia - Fear of blood and bleeding.
Hagiophobia - Fear of saints or holy things.
Hamartophobia, Peccatophobia - Fear of sinning.
Haptophobia - Fear of being touched.
Harpaxophobia - Fear of being robbed.
Hedonophobia - Fear of feeling pleasure.
Hegelophobia - Fear of Hegel.
Heliophobia - Fear of the sun.
Hellenologophobia - Fear of Greek terms or complex scientific terminology.
Helminthophobia - Fear of being infested with worms.
Hemophobia, Hemaphobia, Hematophobia - Fear of blood or bleeding.
Heresyphobia, Hereiophobia - Fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation.
Herpetophobia - Fear of reptiles.
Heterophobia, Sexophobia - Fear of the opposite sex.
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia - Fear of the number 666.
Hierophobia - Fear of priests or sacred things.
Hippophobia - Fear of horses.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, Sesquipedalophobia - Fear of long words.
Hobophobia - Fear of bums or beggars.
Hodophobia - Fear of road travel.
Hormephobia - Fear of shock.
Homichlophobia, Nebulaphobia - Fear of fog.
Homilophobia - Fear of sermons.
Homophobia - Fear of sameness, monotony, homosexuality or of becoming homosexual.
Hoplophobia - Fear of firearms.
Hydrargyophobia - Fear of mercurial medicines.
Hydrophobia - Fear of water, a symptom of rabies.
Hydrophobophobia, Kynophobia - Fear of rabies.
Hyelophobia, Hyalophobia, Nelophobia - Fear of glass.
Hygrophobia - Fear of liquids, dampness, or moisture.
Hylephobia - Fear of materialism or the fear of epilepsy.
Hylophobia - Fear of forests.
Hypegiaphobia, Hypengyophobia - Fear of responsibility.
Hypengyophobia - Fear of responsibility.
Hypnophobia - Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized.
Hypsiphobia - Fear of height.

I
Iatrophobia - Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.
Ichthyophobia - Fear of fish.
Iconophobia - Fear of images or icons.
Ideophobia - Fear of ideas.
Illyngophobia - Fear of vertigo.
Insulaphobia - Fear of being isolated, or alternatively, fear of islands
Iophobia - Fear of poison.
Islamophobia - Fear of Islam.
Islandophobia - Fear of Iceland, Icelandic culture, etc.
Isopterophobia - Fear of termites or other insects that eat wood.
Ithyphallophobia - Fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis.

J
Japanophobia, Nipponophobia - Fear of the Japanese.
Judeophobia - Fear or hatred of Jews.

K
Katikomindicaphobia - Fear of the RNI (Resident Non-Indian).
Kenophobia - Fear of voids or empty spaces.
Keraunophobia - Fear of lightning.
Kinetophobia, Kinesophobia - Fear of movement or motion.
Klismaphobia - Fear of Enemas.
Kneemaphobia - Fear of the knee bending backwards.
Koinoniphobia - Fear of rooms.
Kolpophobia - Fear of genitals, particularly female.
Kopophobia - Fear of fatigue.
Kosmikophobia - Fear of cosmic phenomena.
Kyphophobia - Fear of stooping.

L
Lachanophobia - Fear of vegetables.
Laliophobia, Lalophobia - Fear of speaking.
Leporiphobia - Fear of rabbits.
Leprophobia, Lepraphobia - Fear of leprosy.
Leukophobia - Fear of the colour white.
Levophobia - Fear of things to the left side of the body.
Librophobia - Fear of having to balance.
Ligyrophobia - Fear of loud noises.
Lilapsophobia - Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Limnophobia - Fear of lakes.
Linonophobia - Fear of string.
Liticaphobia - Fear of lawsuits.
Lockiophobia, Maieusiophobia, Parturiphobia - Fear of childbirth.
Logophobia - Fear of words.
Luiphobia, Syphilophobia - Fear of syphilis.
Lutraphobia - Fear of otters.
Lyssophobia - Fear of rabies or of becoming insane.

M
Macroxenoglossophobia - Fear of long, strange words.
Macrophobia - Fear of long waits.
Maimouphobia, Pithikosophobia - Fear of monkeys.
Mageirocophobia - Fear of cooking.
Malaxophobia, Sarmassophobia - Fear of love play.
Maniaphobia - Fear of going insane.
Maserphobia - Fear of Singaporeans, the mixed culture of Singapore.
Mastigophobia, Poinephobia - Fear of punishment.
Mechanophobia - Fear of machines.
Medomalacuphobia - Fear of losing an erection.
Medorthophobia - Fear of an erect penis.
Megalophobia - Fear of large objects.
Melanophobia - Fear of the colour black.
Melophobia - Fear or hatred of music.
Meningitophobia - Fear of brain disease.
Menophobia - Fear of menstruation.
Merinthophobia - Fear of being bound or tied up.
Metallophobia - Fear of metal.
Metathesiophobia - Fear of changes.
Meteorophobia - Fear of meteors.
Methyphobia, Potophobia - Fear of alcohol.
Metrophobia - Fear or hatred of poetry.
Mikatikoindicaphobia - Fear of the NRIs (Non-Resident Indians).
Microphobia, Mycrophobia - Fear of small objects.
Misophobia, Molysmophobia, Molysomophobia, Mysophobia, Verminophobia - Fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs.
Mnemophobia - Fear of memories.
Monophobia - Fear of being alone, or of feeling alone.
Monopathophobia - Fear of a specific disease.
Motorphobia - Fear of automobiles.
Mottephobia - Fear of moths.
Musicophobia - Fear of music.
Musophobia, Murophobia - Fear of rats.
Mycophobia - Fear or aversion to mushrooms.
Myrmecophobia - Fear of ants.
Mysophobia - Fear of dirt.
Mythophobia - Fear of myths, stories or false statements.

N
Necrophobia - Fear of death or dead things.
Neopharmaphobia - Fear of new drugs.
Neophobia - Fear of the new.
Nephophobia - Fear of clouds.
Nihilophobia - Fear of (absolutely) nothing.
Noctiphobia - Fear of the night.
Nomatophobia - Fear of names.
Nosocomephobia - Fear of hospitals.
Nosophobia, Nosemaphobia - Fear of becoming ill.
Nostophobia - Fear of returning home.
Novercaphobia - Fear of one's stepmother.
Nucleomituphobia - Fear of nuclear weapons.
Numerophobia - Fear of numbers.
Nyctohylophobia - Fear of dark, wooded areas.
Nyctophobia - Fear of the dark, of night or of nightfall.
O
Obesophobia, Pocrescophobia - Fear of gaining weight.
Ochophobia - Fear of vehicles.
Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8.
Odontophobia - Fear of teeth or dental surgery.
Oenophobia - Fear of wine.
Oicophobia - Fear of houses.
Olfactophobia, Osmophobia, Osphresiophobia - Fear of smells.
Ombrophobia, Pluviophobia - Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Ommetaphobia, Ommatophobia - Fear of eyes.
Oneirophobia - Fear of dreams.
Oneirogmophobia - Fear of wet dreams.
Onomatophobia - Fear of hearing certain words or names.
Ophidiophobia - Fear of snakes.
Ophthalmophobia - Fear of being stared at.
Opiophobia - A medical doctor's fear of prescribing pain medications for patients.
Optophobia - Fear of opening one's eyes.
Ornithophobia - Fear of birds.
Ortographobia - Fear of spelling mistakes.
Orthophobia - Fear of property.
Ostraconophobia - Fear of shellfish.
Ouranophobia, Uranophobia - Fear of heaven.

P
Pagophobia - Fear of ice or frost.
Panthophobia - Fear of suffering and disease.
Panophobia, Pantophobia - Fear of everything.
Papaphobia - Fear of the Pope.
Papyrophobia - Fear of paper.
Paralipophobia - Fear of neglecting duty or responsibility.
Paraphobia - Fear of sexual perversion.
Parasitophobia - Fear of parasites.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia - Fear of Friday the 13th.
Parthenophobia - Fear of virgins or young girls.
Pathophobia - Fear of disease.
Patroiophobia - Fear of heredity.
Pediculophobia, Phthiriophobia - Fear of lice.
Pediophobia - Fear of dolls.
Pediphobia, Pedophobia - Fear of children.
Peladophobia - Fear of bald people.
Pellagrophobia - Fear of pellagra.
Peniaphobia - Fear of poverty.
Pentheraphobia - Fear of one's mother-in-law.
Phagophobia - Fear of swallowing, eating or of being eaten.
Phalacrophobia - Fear of becoming bald.
Phallophobia - Fear of a penis, esp. erect.
Pharmacophobia - Fear of taking medicine.
Phasmophobia, Spectrophobia - Fear of ghosts.
Phengophobia - Fear of daylight or sunshine.
Philemaphobia, Philematophobia - Fear of kissing.
Philophobia - Fear of falling in love or being in love.
Philosophobia - Fear of philosophy.
Phobophobia - Fear of phobias.
Phobophobiaphobia - Fear of fear of phobias.
Photoaugliaphobia - Fear of glaring lights.
Photophobia - Fear of light (also refers to aversion to light due to an inflamed/painful eye or excessively dilated pupils)
Phonophobia - Fear of noises, voices, one's own voice or of telephones.
Phronemophobia - Fear of thinking.
Phthisiophobia, Tuberculophobia - Fear of tuberculosis.
Placophobia - Fear of tombstones.
Plutophobia - Fear of wealth.
Pneumatiphobia - Fear of spirits.
Pnigophobia, Pnigerophobia - Fear of choking or being smothered.
Pnumonomicroscopicsilicovolcanocoviosophobia - Fear of a lung disease caused by coal dust.
Pogonophobia, Pognophobia - Fear of beards.
Poliosophobia - Fear of contracting poliomyelitis.
Politicophobia - Fear or abnormal dislike of politicians.
Polonophobia - Hatred of Poles.
Polyphobia - Having many phobias.
Ponophobia - Fear of overworking or of pain.
Porphyrophobia - Fear of the colour purple.
Potamophobia - Fear of rivers or running water.
Pharmacophobia - Fear of drugs.
Proctophobia, Rectophobia - Fear of the rectum or of rectal diseases.
Prosophobia - Fear of progress.
Psellismophobia - Fear of stuttering.
Psychophobia - Fear of the mind.
Pteronophobia - Fear of being tickled by feathers.
Pupaphobia - Fear of puppets.
Pyrophobia - Fear of fire.

Q
Quadraphobia - Fear of quartets or of being drawn and quartered.
Quadrataphobia - Fear of quadratic equations.

R
Radiophobia - Fear of radiation or X-rays.
Ranidaphobia - Fear of frogs.
Retrophobia - Fear of old things or traveling back in time.
Retterophobia - Fear of wrongly chosen letters.
Rhabdophobia - Fear of being severely punished or beaten with a rod, or of being severely criticized. Also fear of magic.
Rhinophobia - Fear of noses.
Rhodophobia - Fear of the colour red.
Rhypophobia - Fear of defecation.
Rhytiphobia - Fear of getting wrinkles.
Rupophobia - Fear of dirt.
Russophobia - Fear of Russians.

S
Samhainophobia - Fear of Halloween.
Satanophobia, Orcusophobia - Fear of Satan.
Scabiophobia - Fear of scabies.
Scatophobia, Fecophobia, Coprophobia - Fear of feces.
Scelerophibia - Fear of bad men, burglars.
Sciophobia, Sciaphobia - Fear of shadows.
Scoleciphobia, Vermiphobia - Fear of worms.
Scopophobia, Scoptophobia - Fear of being seen or stared at.
Scotomaphobia - Fear of blindness in visual field.
Scriptophobia - Fear of writing in public.
Sedatephobia - Fear of silence.
Selachophobia - Fear of sharks.
Selaphobia - Fear of light flashes.
Selenophobia - Fear of the moon.
Seplophobia - Fear of decaying matter.
Sesquipedalophobia - Fear of long words.
Siderodromophobia - Fear of trains, railroads or train travel.
Siderophobia - Fear of stars.
Sitophobia - Fear of food.
Sinistrophobia - Fear of things to the left of oneself.
Sinophobia - Fear of the Chinese, Chinese culture, etc.
Soceraphobia - Fear of parents-in-law.
Social Phobia - Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations.
Sociophobia - Fear of society or people in general.
Somniphobia - Fear of sleep.
Sophophobia - Fear of learning.
Soteriophobia - Fear of dependence on others.
Spacephobia - Fear of outer space.
Spamophobia - Fear of Spam.
Spectrophobia - Fear of mirrors.
Spermatophobia or Spermophobia - Fear of sperm.
Spheksophobia - Fear of wasps.
Staurophobia - Fear of crosses or crucifixes.
Stenophobia - Fear of narrow things or places.
Stephanophobia - Fear of crowns
Suriphobia - Fear of mice.
Symbolophobia - Fear of symbolism.
Symmetrophobia - Fear of symmetry.
Syngenesophobia - Fear of relatives.
Syphiliphobia - Fear of syphilis.

T
Tachophobia - Fear of speed.
Taeniophobia, Teniophobia - Fear of tapeworms.
Taphephobia, Taphophobia - Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.
Tapinophobia - Fear of being contagious.
Taurophobia - Fear of bulls.
Technophobia - Fear of technology.
Teleophobia - Fear of definite plans or of religious ceremony.
Telephonophobia - Fear of telephones.
Teratophobia - Fear of bearing a deformed child, of monsters or of deformed people.
Teratrophobia - Fear of monsters.
Terdekaphobia - Fear of the number 13.
Testophobia - Fear of taking tests.
Tetanophobia - Fear of tetanus or lockjaw.
Textophobia - Fear of certain fabrics.
Thalassophobia - Fear of the sea.
Thanatophobia, Thantophobia - Fear of death or dying.
Theatrophobia - Fear of theatres.
Theologicophobia - Fear of theology.
Theophobia - Fear of gods or religion.
Thermophobia - Fear of heat.
Tocophobia - Fear of pregnancy or childbirth.
Tomophobia - Fear of surgical operations.
Tonsurephobia - Fear of haircuts.
Topophobia - Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright.
Toxiphobia, Toxophobia, Toxicophobia - Fear of poison or of being accidentally poisoned.
Traumatophobia - Fear of injury.
Tremophobia - Fear of trembling.
Trichinophobia - Fear of trichinosis.
Triskaidekaphobia - Fear of the number 13. Having a superstition.
Tropophobia - Fear of moving or making changes.
Turophobia - Fear of cheese.
Trypanophobia - Fear of injections.
Trypophobia - Fear of holes.
Tyrannophobia - Fear of tyrants.

U
Uranophobia - Fear of the heavens.
Urophobia - Fear of urine or urinating.

V
Vaccinophobia - Fear of vaccination.
Venustraphobia - Fear of beautiful women.
Verbophobia - Fear of words.
Vestiphobia - Fear of clothing.
Virginitiphobia - Fear of rape.
Vitricophobia - Fear of one's stepfather.
Vuteuthindion - Fear of picnics.

W
Walloonphobia - Fear of the Walloon people or their languages.
Wiccaphobia - Fear of witches and witchcraft.

X
Xanthophobia - Fear of the colour yellow or the word yellow.
Xenoglossophobia - Fear of foreign languages.
Xenophobia - Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Xerophobia - Fear of dryness.
Xylophobia - Fear of wooden objects or fear of forests.
Xyrophobia - Fear of razors.

Y
Ymophobia - Fear of contrariety.

Z
Zoophobia - Fear of animals.

how to have smarter conversations

Somewhere along the the line I decided that embracing "Smarter Conversations" was preferable to prematurely consigning my career to the dustbin of history. I just wrote down some random thoughts:

1. Understand why what you're offering to do for other people is interesting, important, meaningful etc then start telling people about it.
Think about this one. Hard. If you don't know, then how will other people know? Exactly. They won't.

2. Live like you know the difference between remarkable and unremarkable, like it matters to you.
The more "remarkable" matters to you, the more likely that it will appear in the product you're selling. The more likely other people will notice it.

3. Seek out the exceptional minds.
This is my basic mantra. It's a good one to have. Not everybody gets it. Their loss.

4. Start a blog.
Blogs are funny things. Say something smart, people pay attention. Say something dumb, you're ignored. We big media folk just can't seem to get our heads around that concept, for some reason. Regular blogging can help train you to better discern between smart and dumb. Makes it easier to extend this to the rest of one's business.

5. Ruthlessly avoid working for companies that "don't get it".
Yeah, you may have to turn down a few gigs, and that can really hurt when the rent is due. Still, anything that's easy to get isn't worth having.

6. Ruthlessly avoid working for companies that think they know better than you.
Luckily, if you get the whole "smarter conversations" thing, their "Yes, Buts" will just seem rather empty. Making them easier to "toss out like old furniture".

7. Be nice.
Smarter conversations are fuelled by goodwill. Lose it and die.

8. Be honest.
Again, smarter conversations are fuelled by goodwill etc.

9. Karma is key.
But you already know that. Or you're stupid. No middle ground on this one, sorry.

10. Listen.Tongues are dumber than brains, brains are dumber than ears etc.

want an advertising job

So you want a writing job in the advertising business. Here are my two cents:

1. Be good.
If you're good you can get any job you want, at any agency you want. If you're not, then you can't and you won't. It's a ruthlessly meritocratic business.

2. Getting good is mostly practice.
I wrote 12 ads yesterday. All good ones. Took me a couple of hours. I'm not some creative genius, I've just been doing it a while.

3. Work on the ideas, not the polishing.
Most books look the same (a "book" is your portfolio of work samples you send around the agencies when you're hustling for a job). Yawn. Snore. More yawns and snores. Highly professional, highly polished, and full of second-rate ideas. You don't notice how ineffective a marketing tool they are till there's a recession on and you REALLY NEED to find a job.

4. Seek out the exceptional minds, avoid everyone else.
Life is short. You don't want to end up in The Watercooler Gang.

5. Write like you mean the words.
"Being creative" is not the hardest thing in the profession. That's easy. Being able to write about the client's product with conviction, with passion, with genuine humanity is far harder. Most copywriters can't do it. If you can do it, there's always going to be a market for it. Be excited.
(read more here...)

6. Make the client think differently about his product.
This is the gold dust of the profession. This is what the client will really value over the long-haul. Hard as hell to do. It took me almost 10 years in the business before I made my first real intellectual breakthrough with Gerber Baby Foods. Now it's pretty much all I do. Everything else is secondary.

7. Awards are overrated.
They're fine for allowing a young rookie to get his or her name known in the business, but award juries are mostly biased, political, paranoid, incestuous, smug, nasty entities, a refuge for self-satisfied, backwards-looking mediocrity. Any business plan that includes their approval in the equation is highly flawed.

8. TV is still where the money is.
If you work in the mainstream of the business, your career will be rewarded in direct proportion to the number of TV spots you sell. Yes, there are exceptions, but they're rare. This sad little factoid has pretty much sealed the death warrant on the standard agency business plan, but hey, it's not my problem.

9. The business is in meltdown.
Everybody knows the "Job For Life" is dead, cold and buried. However, professionally you're still expected to behave like that isn't the case. There's a disconnect. It won't last forever. Smart clients know that agency business models generally suck and what's on offer is expensive for what you get. We live in interesting times.

10. Everything you read about the advertising business is wrong (including this).How do I know? Because there's a new game in town. A new creature has come down the pike which will change the business forever. I don't speak about it here, I save it for my clients. Rock on.

Tips to being creative

So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years:

1. Ignore everybody.
2. The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to change the world.
3. Put the hours in.
4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.
5. You are responsible for your own experience.
6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.
7. Keep your day job.
8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.
9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.
10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.
11. Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.
12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.
13. Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside.
14. Dying young is overrated.
15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.
16. The world is changing.
17. Merit can be bought. Passion can't.
18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.
19. Sing in your own voice.
20. The choice of media is irrelevant.
21. Selling out is harder than it looks.
22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.
23. Worrying about "Commercial vs. Artistic" is a complete waste of time.
24. Don’t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.
25. You have to find your own schtick.
26. Write from the heart.
27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.
28. Power is never given. Power is taken.
29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.
30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.