What is the word for the fear of long words

Sesquipedalophobia or Longphobia is the fear of long or complicated words. Ironically, the original word naming the phobia may trigger it. There are people who suffer from the phobia. However, the phobia is not recognized by most doctors. The causes of the phobia are unknown but might stem from difficulties to learn reading back at school, or certain brain patterns. It might be associated to a more worrisome mental illness. Most of the long words can be found in the medical and chemical vocabulary or large numbers, such as a certain acid, something else, another thing and another thing. The longest English word, which has 189,819 letters and takes more than 3 hours to be fully pronounced, is a chemical name. For these reasons, people suffering from this phobia should avoid becoming doctors or chemists.

This is why I want to die, there is way too many Bambi fantracks named after phobias.


Author:

Robert Simon


Date Of Creation:

24 June 2021


Update Date:

8 April 2023

The fear of long words phobia orHippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is often considered a jocularor fictional phobia; however, that is not the case andlong words phobia is actually very real and doesexist. Thus the first part of the word refers to a waterhorse also otherwise known as Hippopotamus.

What is the word for being scared of long words? - health

What is the word for being scared of long words? — health

Content

  • is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia a real word?
  • is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia the longest word in the world?
  • what is the meaning of Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia?
  • What are some really long words?

Additionally, is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia a real word?

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is one ofthe longest words in the dictionary — and, in an ironictwist, is the name for a fear of long words. Sesquipedalophobia isanother term for the phobia. Instead, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is considered a socialphobia.

Thus, is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia the longest word in the world?

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia , a 36character word supposedly meaning a fear of longwords , is not officially known as the longest word inthe English language despite its great length. At a length of 30characters, it is the longest non-coined word toappear in any major English dictionary.

Regarding This, what is the meaning of Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia?

hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia . Noun.(uncountable) The fear of long words. Ben is a sufferer of a mildform of hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia .

Considering This, What are some really long words?

Here are some examples of the longest words bycategory.

  1. METHIONYLTHREONYLTHREONYGLUTAMINYLARGINYL …
  2. LOPADOTEMACHOSELACHOGALEOKRANIOLEIPSAN …P TERYGON.
  3. PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOCONIOSIS.
  4. PARASTRATIOSPHECOMYIA STRATIOSPHECOMYIOIDES.
  5. PSEUDOPSEUDOHYPOPARATHYROIDISM.
  6. FLOCCINAUCINIHILIPILIFICATION.
  7. SUBDERMATOGLYPHIC.

You are here: Home / Phobias / Fear of Long Words Phobia – Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Fears and phobias are very real and the human mind is capable of developing them towards virtually anything or any situation. The fear of long words phobia or Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is often considered a jocular or fictional phobia; however, that is not the case and long words phobia is actually very real and does exist.

Fear of Long Words Phobia - Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

People suffering from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia tend to experience a great deal of anxiety when faced with long words. It is indeed ironical that the scientific name given to this phobia is such a long one. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can actually be broken down into several parts: Hippo- is ‘horse’ in Greek and potam-os is river. Thus the first part of the word refers to a water horse also otherwise known as Hippopotamus. The Oxford Dictionary uses the word: Hippopotamine to refer to “something very large”. The word “monstr” is the Latin origin of a ‘monstrous being’ or something that is huge or terrifying and sesquippedalio is derived from Latin sesquippedali meaning ‘measuring a foot and a half long’. Phobos stands for morbid fear.

Most specific phobias, including the fear of long words phobia, are caused by an event that is recorded by parts of the brain (namely the amygdala and hippocampus) as dangerous or deadly. The body then reacts as if the same event is bound to happen repeatedly. A person with severe Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is literally held a prisoner by his feelings of anxiety and panic he experiences at the thought or sight of long words.

No one is born with this phobia. Most people have simply learned it from an unpleasant episode. In fact; many individuals do not even remember how the fear started.

School going children (or in some cases, working adults) might have experienced being laughed at or having been embarrassed (or found themselves shaking, trembling etc) when reading/pronouncing long words. The mind then continues to create the same response without any basis. For a person suffering from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, the mind develops negative images, bad movie-like stills at the thought or sight of long words.

Symptoms of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Each individual is different and so are his/her symptoms of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

Typically, the symptoms of long words phobia can be characterized as mental, emotional or physical. Many individuals feel extremely anxious or have a full blown panic attack at the sight or thought of long words.

Physical symptoms include shaking, crying, running away, trembling, feeling nauseated, experiencing headaches, rapid or accelerated heartbeat and shallow breathing etc.

The person is likely to feel dread and terror; his mind creates very bad pictures such as embarrassing oneself, passing out etc when faced with long words.

Often the patient understands that his fear is irrational and unsupported; however, he is unable to control himself and is powerless to rationalize.

Treating and overcoming the fear of long words phobia

The good news is that Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can be overcome. Drugs and medicines must be the last resort as these simply mask the symptoms of anxiety experienced due to the phobia. The solution to overcoming the fear of long words is to mainly recall and evaluate the factors that have led to the phobia in the first place.

Therapists can also help evaluate these factors to come up with a treatment plan. The individual is then encouraged to expose self to long words gradually: beginning with just seeing the word, then progressing to thinking about long words and finally saying them. Such gradual exposure helps lessen the panic until the individual is completely comfortable and can face long words confidently.

Using self help methods like deep breathing, relaxing and meditating etc are also recommended while dealing with this phobia. Talk therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and behavior therapy are some other important and effective therapies for treating Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

Tell Your Story

Fears and phobias are very real and the human mind is capable of developing them towards virtually anything or any situation. The fear of long words phobia or Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is often considered a jocular or fictional phobia; however, that is not the case and long words phobia is actually very real and does exist.

People suffering from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia tend to experience a great deal of anxiety when faced with long words. It is indeed ironical that the scientific name given to this phobia is such a long one. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can actually be broken down into several parts: Hippo- is ‘horse’ in Greek and potam-os is river. Thus the first part of the word refers to a water horse also otherwise known as Hippopotamus. The Oxford Dictionary uses the word: Hippopotamine to refer to “something very large”. The word “monstr” is the Latin origin of a ‘monstrous being’ or something that is huge or terrifying and sesquippedalio is derived from Latin sesquippedali meaning ‘measuring a foot and a half long’. Phobos stands for morbid fear.

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Ironically, the fear of long words is called hippo monstrosesquipedaliophobia. Such a word can be scary at first glance, but if you take your time and divide it into its components, it turns out that it is quite easy to pronounce. Some people may think this phobia is contrived, but such a word for the fear of long words does exist.

Steps

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 1

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 1

Step 1. Get to know the word

This is hippo monstrosesquipedaliophobia.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 2

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 2

Step 2. Divide the word into root words

Hippopotamus-monster-sesquipedalio-phobia. Hippopotamus is a distorted word for hippopotamus, monster comes from the Latin monstrum and means monster, sesquipedalio comes from the English sesquipedalian, which translates as a very long word, while phobia is excessive or irrational fear.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 3

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 3

Step 3. Divide the word into parts that are comfortable to pronounce

Hippo-poto-monster-sesqui-pedal-phobia.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 4

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 4

Step 4. Start with the hippo

Pronounce hip-po syllables.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 5

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 5

Step 5. Then say poto

Pronounce something syllable.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 6

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 6

Step 6. Next comes the monster

Say monstro.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 7

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 7

Step 7. Now say sesqui

Say ses-qui.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 8

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 8

Step 8. Say the pedal

Say ne-da-li-oh.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 9

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 9

Step 9. End with the word phobia

Say pho-bi-ya.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 10

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 10

Step 10. Practice pronouncing each part

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 11

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 11

Step 11. Say the whole word

Hip-po-to-mon-stro-ses-qui-pe-da-li-o-fo-bi-ya.

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 12

Pronounce the Fear of Long Words Step 12

Step 12. Practice pronouncing the word until it bounces off your teeth

Advice

  • People often make a subtle pause between hippopotamus and sesquipedaliophobia, because they want not to get confused and pronounce the word correctly.
  • If you are familiar with the international phonetic transcription system, you can pronounce this word even in English: /ˌhɪ.pə.pɒ.təˈmɒn.strəˌsɛ.skwɪ.pɪˈdeɪ.lɪəˌfoʊ.bɪə/.

Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by

The fear of long words, or hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, is described as an intense and irrational fear of pronouncing long words. Long words phobia can occur even if an individual imagines having to pronounce long words.  

The fear of long words is the anxiety felt from the possibility of getting stuck when pronouncing certain words. The person with this phobia also fears embarrassment and being perceived as uneducated.

  This phobia mostly appears when the words used are uncommonly long and rarely used. Most times, they are related to areas of science or technology. The person with this phobia also often avoids using long words in casual or comfortable environments.

Characteristics of Long Words Phobia

As with the other specific phobias, several criteria characterize the fear of long words.

The Fear is Excessive

The fear that the person feels about having to pronounce long or complicated words is unreasonable. Having to pronounce long words should not cause these levels of anxiety.  

 The Fear is Irrational

The person who suffers from it is aware that their fear is irrational. They understand they should not feel this much discomfort but are still unable to control it.

Knowing their irrational feelings increases their insecurity and increases their anxiety. This knowledge makes them feel different from others.

 Fear is uncontrollable.

The person cannot control the fear, thoughts, and emotions he has before when faced with situations they fear. This usually causes greater discomfort, and they feel the problem is out of hand.

Displays Avoidant Tendencies

One of the reasons why long words phobia doesn’t go away is because of the avoidant tendencies the person sets in motion. You become afraid when you’re in a situation where you are likely to have to use the words. Therefore, you avoid the situation instead of waiting for that to happen.

Here are examples of situations that may cause avoidance:

  • Skipping a meeting that you have to speak at
  • Leaving a job that requires speaking in public,  
  • Avoid situations involving technical language
  • Decreasing or even eliminating social gatherings.

Each time the person avoids the situation instead of facing it, their fear increases. Instead, they should use the opportunity as an opportunity. Exposure to these feared situations will show them that it is not so dangerous or threatening.

Each time the person avoids the situation instead of facing it, their fear increases. Lose the opportunity to expose yourself to the feared scenario and learn that it is not so dangerous or threatening.

What Causes the Fear of Long Words?

As with most specific phobias involving irrational fears, there is no concrete and definite origin for the appearance of this fear. It is usually the sum of several factors or situations that leads to the disorder’s development.

In the case of hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, the fear of long words probably goes back to childhood. For example, say someone cannot correctly pronounce a long word in a speech or conversation. If this results in being teased or mocked, then they can develop a fear of long words. 

Even if no one mocked or teased this person, they may still think they made a fool of themself. This belief leads them to refrain from using long and unusual words. 

In other cases, the origin may be that someone they admired and looked up to had this fear. When you observe another person living with this fear, and they experience ridicule, it could result in you getting a phobia. Even if they never experienced it. 

No matter the cause of long words phobia, social anxiety almost always accompanies it. And very often, other underlying problems appear.

These problems include:

  • Insecurity
  • Lack of self-confidence
  • Feelings of inferiority 
  • Low self-esteem
  • Fear of failure

Signs and Symptoms 

Each person lives with their phobia differently. This means the symptoms they experience differ as well. But several common characteristics usually appear. These shared symptoms help determine if someone suffers from the fear of long words. 

Physical symptoms

Those who have hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, or fear of long words, experience several bodily symptoms when they come into touch with their dreaded element.

Our body’s main systems experience these changes. In particular, fear of long words causes the central nervous system to become more active.

Each patient will likely have different physical symptoms brought. A person who suffers from the fear of long words will specifically exhibit a mix of the following physical signs:

  • The heart rate has increased
  • The pace of breathing becomes faster.
  • Choking sensations or hyperventilation
  • muscular strain and tension
  • Excessive perspiration or chilly sweats throughout the body
  • Headaches or stomachaches
  • Feelings of being in a dream.
  • Enlarging of the pupils
  • Nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness.

Emotional symptoms

Often the person imagines themself in a situation of mispronouncing difficult words and being humiliated. 

Additionally, there is a fear of having a panic attack or even fainting from rising tension. In most cases, the person can recognize that their anxiety is irrational and meaningless, but they can not control the emotions and discomfort he experiences.

Adverse Effects of Long Words Phobia

The main effect of having this phobia is that the person who has it lets this intense fear control them. This makes them feel less safe and lowers their sense of self-worth.

Most of the time, the subject will try to avoid or run away from situations where he has to use long words. Therefore they must give up many activities and, sometimes, their job. Also, social relationships are often affected, and the person becomes isolated to avoid discomfort.

Another repercussion is a sense of guilt. Even though they know their anxiety is unjustified, they abandon hobbies and relationships to avoid confronting it.

Typically, this results in feelings of shame and adds to low self-esteem since it is viewed as inferior and distinct from others.

Although it depends on each situation and the degree of the phobia, the individual’s emotional, social, or professional life tends to deteriorate.

How to Treat the Fear of Long Words

Like all phobias, there are several treatment options for fear of long words. The person’s recovery usually goes through therapy or a mental health professional consultation.

The areas of focus for the treatment depend on the symptoms that cause discomfort and the cause of the phobia. Also, in therapy, underlying problems such as low self-esteem, insecurity, a lack of self-confidence, or a lack of social skills are treated. 

Not only must we work to alleviate the symptoms that generate so much discomfort, but we also need to know the cause, and the origin of the phobia, to be able to solve the problem correctly.

It is also necessary to treat the avoidance behavior of situations that cause fear and discomfort. This behavior is responsible for reinforcing and increasing the fear, so it is essential to treat them.

Relaxation and breathing techniques are other proven methods of treatment. These techniques help the person to relax and control the symptoms before the feared situations.

Once the therapist has prepared the person, he begins exposing them to their fear. In other words, they must be exposed to situations requiring them to pronounce long words. By facing their fear, they will learn that these situations are not as challenging to deal with as they thought. 

Depending on the type of treatment, the exposure will be imagined or real. It can also happen gradually or all at once. In some cases, a combination of both techniques will be necessary. 

But the most recommended exposure is done in an actual situation and gradually. In the case of the treatment of this phobia, the use of drugs is not recommended. Medications mitigate the symptoms and reduce the discomfort the person experiences, but they do not treat or solve the problem. 

Also Read: Dermatopatofobia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Conclusion

The first step toward overcoming the fear is to acknowledge and identify it. The next step is to get assistance from a professional. Although the individual may be terrified of being different or having an enormous problem, the expert understands that his scenario is not unique and knows how to handle it.

Last Updated: February 22, 2022 | Author: Edwin Heist

What is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia the fear of?

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is one of the longest words in the dictionary — and, in an ironic twist, is the name for a fear of long words. Sesquipedalophobia is another term for the phobia. The American Psychiatric Association doesn’t officially recognize this phobia.

How do you pronounce Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia mean?

What is Anna phobia?

Anatidaephobia originated from the Far Side comic by Gary Larson, who defined it as: “The fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you.” The definition was accompanied by a comic illustration depicting a man alone in his office, while a duck watches him from across the street.

Is Aibohphobia a real phobia?

Aibohphobia is the (unofficial) fear of palindromes, which are words that read the same front and back and, you guessed it, the word itself is a palindrome.

What is the fear of Minecraft?

Creepophobia is a fear of creepers from Minecraft. The quickest treatment for Creepophobia is physical reasurrence from a family member or going into creative and then trying to tame one.

What is the longest palindrome?

The longest palindrome in English is often considered tattarrattat, coined by James Joyce in his 1922 Ulysses to imitate the sound of a knock on the door. Try your hand at this list of some of the hardest words to spell. That’s 12 letters.

So, the best name for a fear of pickles is “picklephobia,” as our writer first suggested. … The best name for us is embarrassed.

What does Semordnilap mean?

Palindromes Semordnilap A palindrome is a word or phrase that is the same forwards and backwards, but a semordnilap (“palindromes” backwards) is a word that becomes a different word when read backwards.

Is dammit I’m mad a palindrome?

This is a 224-word palindrome poem, which means it reads the same backwards and forwards.

What is the longest disease name?

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

1 Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (forty-five letters) is lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica or quartz dust.

What is the most famous palindrome?

Some well-known English palindromes are, “Able was I ere I saw Elba” (1848), “A man, a plan, a canal – Panama” (1948), “Madam, I’m Adam” (1861), and “Never odd or even”.

Do Geese See God?

Now, in the hands of palindrome master William Irvine, combined with these witty and exquisitely drawn illustrations by Steven Guarnaccia, the result is a delightful mix of literary and absurdist humor. …

What word takes 3 hours to say?

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters)

What word takes 3 hours to say full word?

The word is 189,819 letters long. It’s actually the name of a giant protein called Titin. Proteins are usually named by mashing-up the names of the chemicals making them. And since Titin is the largest protein ever discovered, its name had to be equally as large.

What’s the shortest word ever?

Eunoia, at six letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all five main vowels. Seven letter words with this property include adoulie, douleia, eucosia, eulogia, eunomia, eutopia, miaoued, moineau, sequoia, and suoidea. (The scientific name iouea is a genus of Cretaceous fossil sponges.)

Is there a word with 1000 letters?

It’s a technical word referring to the lung disease more commonly known as silicosis. Despite being in the dictionary, the word was originally made up by the president of the National Puzzlers’ League.

What’s the longest word in Japanese?

It is read as “toragahitowokamoutosurutokinounarigoe”. It is 37 letters long and is comprised of 18 syllables. It is a very odd word, as it is defined as “the growl a tiger makes when it is about to about to bit someone”.

English

Alternative forms

  • hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (common misspelling, perhaps on purpose, to make the word even longer)

Etymology

From hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian, an extension of sesquipedalian with ad hoc combining forms of monstrum (monster) and hippopotamus (intended to exaggerate the length of the word itself and the idea of the size of the words being feared), +‎ -phobia.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌhɪ.pəˌpɒ.tə(ʊ)ˈmɒn.stɹə(ʊ)ˌsɛs.kwɪ.pɪˌdɑːl.ɪ.ə(ʊ)ˈfəʊ.bɪ.ə/
  • Rhymes: -əʊbiə
  • Hyphenation: hip‧po‧po‧to‧mon‧stro‧ses‧qui‧pe‧dal‧i‧o‧pho‧bi‧a

Noun

hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia (uncountable)

  1. (humorous) The fear of long words.

    Ben suffers from hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia so he seldom uses words of more than three syllables.

    • 2002 April 19, anonymous, The Scotsman, page 13:

      However, we assume that despite the best endeavours of science, some phobias will always remain. These include paraskavedekatriaphobia, or fear of Friday the 13th. And hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia, which is fear of long words.

    • 2002 December 14, Chris Lloyd, The Northern Echo, page 10:

      Those who find this column troubling are suffering from hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia— the fear of long words. Or, more likely, rupophobia — a fear of rubbish.

    • 2005 September 30, D. Harlan Wilson, Pseudo-City, Raw Dog Screaming Press, →ISBN, page 183:

      Coincidentally there is a masochistic PCP with hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (fear of long words) curled up in an alleyway across the street. He has been whispering “Antidisestablishmentarianism” to himself over and over for two days now, experiencing up to one orgasm every three hours as a result of The Pain  []

Usage notes

  • It is unlikely that this 15-syllable contrivance is ever used purely for its meaning. The term sesquipedalophobia is recognized in formal writing.

Synonyms

  • sesquipedalophobia

  • hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian
  • sesquipedalian

Translations

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