Daily Almanac for
Dec 5, 2009
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The Question:

Hello there. I have used your almanac page to try and find the meaning of the word vespulaphobia but cannot find it. Can you?

The Answer:

There are so many terms for phobias that only the most common are generally listed in dictionaries. However, based on the most likely etymology, if it really is a word, vespulaphobia would be the irrational fear of wasps and hornets, many of which—particularly yellowjackets—belong to the insect genus Vespula.

That said, this term doesn't show up on any of the usual phobia lists. The more common term for the fear of wasps is spheksophobia.

—The Editors

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