Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Quotations 1.3.3 Synonyms 1.3.4 Translations

English

Pronunciation

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Etymology

Fanciful extension of sesqui(p)pedalophobia with monstrum "monster" and a truncated form of hippopotamus, intended to exaggerate the length of the word itself and the idea of the size of the words being feared. The word consists of 36 letters.

Noun

hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (uncountable)

1. Fear of long words.

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, while the four-syllable phrase "fear of long words" is certainly worth considering.
• In the book Useless Knowledge, this enormous word was misinterpreted by the authors as two words, causing them to list the fear of long words as the following:

   hippopotomonstroses
   quippedaliophobia

These fragments appear to be quoted occasionally in other sources.

Quotations

• 2002 - 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 hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, which is fear of long words. - anon, The Scotsman (April 9, 2002) page 13.
• 2002 - Those who find this column troubling are suffering from hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - the fear of long words. Or, more likely, rupophobia - a fear of rubbish. - Chris Lloyd in The Northern Echo (December 14, 2002) page 10

Synonyms

• sesquipedalophobia

Translations

German: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobie f.

Spanish: hipopotomonstrosesquipedaliofobia f.