I always find it interesting to learn the fears of others, things that make people cringe, shiver and shudder. Most of the time I can relate as mine are rather common: spiders, AKA arachnophobia, and dark, open water, AKA hydrophobia (sort of).

However, the list I’m about to surrender to you, Associated Content’s Top 10 Strangest Phobias, is something I can’t relate to in the least, let alone pronounce most of the names. Good luck.

1. Zemmiphobia – Fear of…wait for it…the great mole rat.

Yeah, most are naked and crazy looking — those ones usually tiny — but what’s so bad about a big fat rat? Okay, never mind… I think I can understand this one.

2. Anablephobia – Fear of looking up.

Is this for real? Who doesn’t love a blue sky? Suck to be these people.

3. Consecotaleophobia – Fear of chopsticks.

But forks are no fun when it comes to sushi!

4. Geniophobia – Fear of chins.
This one makes me think of the “Ball-Chinians” from Men in Black II (the one that sucked and doesn’t count). I guess big fat butt chins might make sense…but (no pun intended) I don’t get it other than that.

5. Taphephobia Taphophobia – Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.

Duh. This one actually makes sense. Finally.

6. Cacophobia – Fear of ugliness.

And all along I had no idea what to call this fear I had lurking inside of me… Just kidding. I’m not that shallow, but now I know what to tell people who are. If only I could pronounce this one…

7. Cherophobia – Fear of gaiety.

This one should be easy to tell. Sounds like “cherub” to me, and I’ve always had a slight aversion to those little winged, soft-skinned, naked baby-like angel things on most Italian art pieces and my grandmother’s bathroom walls. I guess this combines that with the whole saccharine sweet happiness that seems to surround them. Who likes happiness and flying angel babies? Me either.

8. Lutraphobia – Fear of otters.

How in the world anyone could be afraid of those cute little water creatures is beyond me, but, apparently, since there obviously was good enough reason to design a word of this length to describe this ridiculous fear, it exists. I truly feel sorry for you people. I happen to love otters.

9. Phronemophobia – Fear of thinking.

I know plenty of people with this fear. Heck, it’s like 90 percent of our society…right? Certainly all the people who Jay Leno catches on his Jay Walking segment. Wow. Of all the crazy fears on this list, this one’s the one I’d least like to admit to, say, if it actually were true. Who, honestly, if afraid to think? Can’t we not help but think? Even on the most minimal of levels? I’m getting too deep. Thinking too critically. Excuse me.

10. Bogyphobia – Fear of bogeys or the bogeyman.

Who isn’t afraid of the bogeyman? He hides in your closet at night and freaks you out with his strange shadow puppet creature shows. What’s not to fear about this dude?