Paraskevidekatriaphobia

Paraskevidekatriaphobia. No I did not just make that up. No I can't pronouce it. Yes, I know what it means.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.

I guess that would mean that anyone plagued by this phobia is having a really bad day today. In fact they're probably going to have a rough year since Friday the 13th actually occurs three times in 2009. (February, March and November.)

What is it about the thirteenth of the month falling on a Friday that brings so much foreboding?

Apparently Friday is a terribly unlucky day. Especially if your name was Jesus Christ. He was supposedly crucified on a Friday.

Chaucer didn't help TGIF when when he penned Canterbury Tales in the late 14th century stating, "and on a Friday fell all this misfortune".

Ah, and let's not forget the stock market crash of 1929 that will be forever remembered as Black Friday.

Ok, so what about the number thirteen? Apparently our ancestors didn't like this number. They preferred to work in dozens: twelve hours, twelve months, twelve signs of the zodiac, etc.

Oh, and then there's also that twelve disciples thing.

Pair the two together and we've got a hell of a mess partly in thanks to King Phillip. He sent out the order for the arrest and slaughter of members of the Knights Templar on none other than Friday, October 13, 1307.

I think Friday the 13th gets a bad rap but if you still have the F13 fear here are some things that might help to you get through the day:

Pick up some of these Happy Friday the 13th greeting cards from Canton Box Company on Etsy.

If you have a problem with bad luck you might want to invest in a bottle of this Jinx Remover from astralcrafts on ebay:

If all else fails check out the latest and greatest Jason flick - Friday the 13th. I guarantee you that your day won't be nearly as bad as what the characters face in the movie.