OTTUMWA —
This is a truly lousy year if you have triskaidekaphobia.
Today is the third, yes third, Friday the 13th of 2012. That's the most possible in a calendar year. The others were in January and April and each was exactly (you guessed it) 13 weeks apart.
This is the first time since 1984 that there have been three such dates separated by 13 weeks.
Triskaidekaphobia isn't the fear of Friday the 13th. It's fear of the number 13. And 13 is widely considered to be unlucky for both historical and religious reasons. The fear of Friday the 13th is a tongue twister worthy of fear: Paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Judas is believed by some to have been the 13th guest at the Last Supper. He went on to betray Jesus and commit suicide. The Bible is silent on the order of arrivals for the meal or the order in which they sat, though the crucifiction was on a Friday.
In 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the Knights Templar arrested on Friday, October 13.
And, of course, there were the Friday the 13th movies, a particularly terrifying use of the date if you're afraid of bad sequels.
If this isn't the day for you, you're not alone. Millions view the date as unlucky. But try saying the formal name for fear of Friday the 13th. Chances are the day will be over before you can say it easily.
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