Kabourophobia

Kabourophobia is the fear of crabs and lobsters.

The etymology of the word [kabourophobia] comes from the Greek word [καβουρης] (pronounced “kavouris”), meaning [crab], and the suffix [-phobia], also from the Greek, arises from the word [φοβία] (pronounced “fovía”)

Kabourophobia is an extremely rare phobia, but it was brought to the public’s attention when a modern pop singer stated that she was afraid of crabs. Also, a prank (maybe acted) was shown on video on the internet with a man surrounded by lobsters.

Kabourophobia is very specific, and it can also be a part of a wider phobia called ostraconophobia, which is the fear of crustaceans, adding shrimp, oysters, clams, crabs, lobsters, etc.

 Liocarcinus vernalis © Hans Hillewaert  via Wikimedia Commons

Click on the image for a larger version. 

An interesting point is that the word [crab] in Greek has another acception, that is the word [Καρκίνος] (pronounced “karkinos”), which is the root for the medical term [cancer].

We thank Jackie Miranda-Klein for her contribution suggesting this word.

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