Friday the 13th, Paraskevidekatriaphobia, and You

Trendonyms was launched July 12th on a Thursday. ... one day prior to the infamous Friday the 13th. In fact, our gerbils were working throughout the night to ensure we published our first post prior to this dreaded day for fear that our alarms would not go off, there would be no hot water in the shower, we'd contract Escherichia Coli from our Cheerios, our cars wouldn't start, our cars would blow up, we'd get fired from work, a co-worker would go postal, and no one would ever read our blog.

A fear of Friday the 13th is known as Paraskevidekatriaphobia, pronounced paraskevidekatriaphobia. Rational or irrational, it's a fear that has been with us for centuries, but where did it come from?

The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church sentenced the Knights Templar to death on Friday the 13th -- torture by crucification ... followed by a dip in the hot tub with the altar boys, I'm sure. Solomon's temple was also purportedly destroyed on this date, and let us not forget that Fidel Castro was born on Friday the 13th.

Friday is considered unlucky in its own right. Afterall, Adam and Eve were booted out of Eden on a Friday, the Great Flood started on a Friday, British traditionally conducted public hangings on Friday, and Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Tell me again why it's called Good Friday?

Combine this oh-so-unlucky of days with the number 13, which carries its own stigmata ... Loki, the Norse God of Mischief, was the 13th guest who designed the demise of the God of Joy and Gladness ... Judas was the 13th apostle ... the hangman's noose has 13 loops and 13 steps lead up to the gallows ... and the 13th floor has mysteriously disappeared from numerous office buildings around the world.

Perhaps of most historical significance, Friday the 13th spawned the ever-loveable, ski-mask toting Jason Voorhees of Camp Crystal Lake fame.

Whether this fear is irrational or not, our advice is to not take any chances. Lock your doors, cut the electricity, and surround yourself with soft, plush pillows until the day is over. The good news is that if you make it through today, you won't have to worry about good ol' Friday the 13th until June 2008.