Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, phobias of long words, real?

[Admin]

There is such a thing as a fear of long words which is called, Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Its not made up, its real!

The strange thing is that the phobia description is one of the longest words I have ever seen - how do you even pronounce Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?

In what situations might this phobia effect you:-

- Meetings
- Interviews for jobs
- Video meetings such as Zoom/Google Meet
- Phone calls (probaby not so much as you cant see each other)

Do you suffer from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?

Note: This is officially classed as an anxiety disorder

 

[Fightingback]

I have heard of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia before but I thought it was a joke. However, I googled it and a phobia of long words is a recognised condition.

This article is very interesting:-

https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.htm

It confirms that those who suffer from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia feel exactly the same symptoms as those who suffer from any other type of phobia. These include:-

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea

One thing that annoys me is the fact that many people laugh at such phobias but they wouldn’t laugh if someone broke a leg or had a physical injury.

 

[Getting_There]

I dont think it helps that they use the longest phobia word to describe a fear of long words - kind of makes a mockery of the phobia.

 

[Helprequired]

Is this a joke or for real?

 

[Admin]

This is a real fear, one which is covered in more detail here:-

Do You Have a Fear of Long Words?

The fear of long words is ironic, as the name is ridiculously long. What gives?

health.howstuffworks.com

 

[Anxietysufferer]

This sounds like a bit of a joke to me, having the longest phobia name for people who have a phobia of long words......strange world we live in,

 

[Admin]

It does sound almost like a joke — but Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is actually a recognised phobia, referring to the fear of long words. The irony of such a long and complex word describing this condition isn’t lost on anyone!

People who experience this phobia may feel anxiety, embarrassment, or panic when faced with unusually long words - whether in speech, reading, or writing. It’s not just about the word itself, but is often tied to fear of mispronouncing, social judgment, or even past negative experiences with language or education.

Understanding the Phobia of Long Words

The phobia of long words can manifest in different ways:

• Avoiding books or texts that contain complex vocabulary
• Feeling tense during spelling bees, speeches, or reading aloud
• Experiencing physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath when encountering long words
  

While it’s sometimes portrayed humorously, Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can be a very real anxiety disorder, related to social phobia or performance anxiety. Like other specific phobias, it’s treatable - through gradual exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and confidence-building exercises.

Let’s Open Up

Have you ever felt anxious about long or complicated words?

Do you avoid reading certain materials because of this fear?

Share your experience - sometimes even talking about it can help reduce the fear and show that you’re not alone.