times a year.We all know Friday the 13th is unlucky, and any bad things that happen today should naturally be blamed on that. There's even a term for fearing Friday the 13th– friggatriskaidekaphobia. (Luckily, sufferers will be too scared to hit the bar tonight, try saying that drunk.)
It is threatening us with bad luck of all stripes (or so we've been made to believe).
Whether or not you believe the hype around this seemingly harmless date, it would appear that quite a few folks do. Research has linked Friday the 13th to decreased traffic and cheaper air fares (due to the fact that so many people decline to leave the house on that ill-fated day).
Some will claim their behavior is due to a phobia — and a mouthful of one at that. Referred to as paraskavedekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia (depending whom you ask), it is simply an irrational fear of Friday the 13th, and nothing else.