Fear of clowns?

[mac56]

The movie monster thread made me think of it.

Seems lots of us have a fear of clowns. James Lileks even coined the phrase "a case of the clownies" for when something meant to be cheerful and happy instead gives you a profound sense of dread.

Anyone else experience this?

http://www.dailyillini.com/oct02/oct01/opinions/stories/opinions_column02.shtml

Living with clown phobia

I'm just going to say it. I hate clowns. I think they are grease-painted servants of the devil.

I'm sorry if you or one of your friends or relatives is a clown. Sorry that he or you are a freak show.

(snip)

For one thing, I just think it's creepy how they cover their entire faces with white makeup, and put on wigs and funny clothes to disguise their true identity. What are they hiding from? Law enforcement, perhaps? I think so. Clowns are just homicidal maniacs in baggy pants and suspenders. John Wayne Gacy used to dress up as a clown. Do you need more proof than that?

We all know clowns wear those oversized shoes so their tracks cannot be identified. And squeezing as many people as they can into that one small car? They probably just knocked over a liquor store. Not to mention that that's just poor vehicle safety.

(snip)

Actually, I'd laugh so much harder at a man in a business suit making balloon animals.

And I'm not the only person who would rather not see clowns. There's an entire phobia about being afraid of clowns — coulrophobia. How many career choices necessitate a phobia?

[XNASA]

1. Yes. I'll admit it. I'm bozophobic.

Seriously. My parents have told me stories about how I was frightened by clowns, even as a youngster.

And I still carry it with me today.

[ronnykmarshall]

3. Me too.

I can't stand the damn things. And mines!! GAG!!

I dated a guy that collected clowns. Needless to say THAT didn't last.

[supernova]

2. Johnny Depp

admits to clownphobia.

So apparently it's a deep-seated thing with some folks.

Clowns don't bother me, but the first time or two I went, Santa Clause scared the crap out of me.

[ihaveaquestion]

4. Not me, but my daughter is.

She says it's because she saw "It" as a child. Though I guess Stephen King may have made the monster a clown to play off people's fear of clowns.

[YNGW]

5. Scared of Clowns

To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad.

[bobthedrummer]

6. My wife and I both hate those evil fucking clowns, it is one of the worst

words in this household-don't ever call us that!
Look at John Wayne Gacy as "Bozo", look at those evil paintings-that is a clown for ya.

[scarlet_owl]

7. They scare the hell out of me.

I remember as a child, pretending to be sick so I wouldn't have to go to the circus. It's kind of embarrassing because I go into hysterics and scream when I see clowns. I'm the same way about spiders.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

8. I'm not alone!!

Thank god. I thought I was the only one out there... Now I know I'm not! Thanks! :-)

[TrogL]

9. Fear of carnivals

Karn Evil 9 (Emerson Lake and Palmer)