Phunny Phobias
If you met someone who was afraid of paper or wax statues, wouldn't you tell them to stop being so ridiculous and get over it? Every Monday, Null editor Hayley hand-picks another bizarre phobia and tries to work out whether it's real or rubbish.
This week:
Alektorophobia: the fear of chickens
What's so scary about them?
What do you mean, what's so scary about them? Evil-eyed harbingers of doom.
What do the scientists say about it?
Not a lot, although it does get a couple of passing mentions in some psychology texts. The website alektorophobia.info does say that the fear of chickens is "surprisingly rare". This might be putting it a little strongly; ok so they have beady little eyes and evil stabby beaks, but I don't really expect every other person walking down the street to throw themselves into a bin at the prospect of an oncoming KFC.
Hayley says:
"Unlikely it may seem, but then... they do have that way of letting their beady little eyes follow you wherever you go. Real."
So far: Real 10½ Rubbish 10½
Find phunny phobias from other weeks here.
Null's other regular features:
Tuesday: Nutty Nomenclature
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
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