We may not be wearing costumes or handing out candy in the office, but that doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate Halloween in our own wordy way. Creep down Wordsmith’s spine-tingling wordlist...if you dare...
Nyctophobia
[nik-tuh-FOH-bee-uh]
Do you have an irrational fear of the dark? If so you might have nyctophobia! Derived from the Greek word nux for “night” and phobia meaning “an aversion.” So if you run for your life once you’ve switched off the lights, don’t worry - you’re not a scaredy-cat... you’re just a nyctophobi-cat.
Lycanthrope
[LYE-kan-throhp]
Feeling a little wolf-like recently? Have the constant urge to shape-shift once that full moon appears? You may be a lycanthrope, or a werewolf - derived from the Greek phrase lykanthropos,"wolf-man.” Never fear at least you’re not in...
Perdition
[per-DISH-uhn]
If you’re a lost soul, the final stop on the way towards eternal damnation is perdition - a state of spiritual ruin - where the wicked are brought to justice. Originating from the Latin word perdere meaning "to lose" or "to ruin."
Thanatopsis
[than-uh-TOP-sis]
This word derives from the Greek words thantos and opsis, which literally translate to a “view of death.” William Cullen Bryant, Halloweens favourite poet first popularized the style with a poem called--you guessed it--Thanatopsis. A great skill to have I’m sure... but I think we’ll stick to copywriting for now....
Trepidation
[trep-ih-DAY-shuhn]
Trepidation refers to a feeling of alarm that often results in quivering. The word is derived from two Latin stems trepidare meaning “to tremble” and trepidus meaning “alarmed” or “scared.” If you plan on introducing some trepidation this Halloween, just grab a copy of the horror classic, “Rosemary’s Baby”...
Teratophobia
[Te-ra-toe-PHO-bee-uh]
Scared of giving birth to a monster? You may have teratophobia. Interestingly, the peak usage of this term corresponds with the release of the film “Alien” in 1979, where Sigourney Weaver played host to a nasty chest-burster that traumatised viewers for years to come! You wouldn’t be shocked if this scene caused...
Phobophobia
[foh-bo-FOH-bee-uh]
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's unknowingly explained this condition quite well in his famous quote, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Phobophobia is the abnormal fear of developing a phobia - originating from the Greek word phobos meaning panic.
Step up your game this Halloween and show off your literacy skills. Have yourself a freaky Friday!