Hidden worries

What are you afraid of? These peculiar phobias might surprise you!

Image: John Cameron

Most of us have run into the usual fears, like snakes or small spaces, but some phobias hide behind everyday situations. They can quietly shape habits without anyone noticing. Today, we’re playing a little game: we’ll give you some clues and the scientific name of the phobia. You’ll get the clues first, then the reveal, and maybe you’ll pick up a fun fact to share at your next coffee chat.

Image: Jaqueline Fritz

This name hints at something "plutus," which once referred to wealth in old Greek stories. It is related to the world of finance, and people who are afraid of this thing don’t really like extra income. Can you guess why that is?

Image: Annie Spratt

What can we say about this one? Here’s a hint: this fear shows up in everyday life more often than you’d expect. Think of someone who avoids certain flowers, clothing, or even kitchen items because the shade makes their skin crawl. What color are they afraid of?

Image: Caleb Woods

This fear tends to start young, and while most kids outgrow it, some do not. Why? Maybe trauma, maybe because of how uncomfortable this activity is for most kids. What do they hate more than eating their greens? Think about that, and you’ll get your answer.

Image: Jon Tyson

Speaking of kids and things they like… or don’t! You can probably guess the shape hinted at in this name. Picture someone who avoids birthday parties or steers clear of anything that might suddenly pop. Even seeing the object on TV can set them on edge if the fear runs deep.

Image: Yohann LIBOT

To guess this one, you’ll have to think of someone whose heart races at the idea of an interview or someone who gets overwhelmed by the idea of showing up to do this at all. It can be tied to burnout or rough experiences. What are these people afraid of, specifically? Keep reading and find all the answers!

Image: Alexander Mils

Plutophobia is the fear of money or wealth. The idea of financial responsibility or becoming a target for theft can spark strong anxiety. The name connects to Plutus, the Greek god associated with riches. Believe it or not, this is a real thing!

Image: Soroush Karimi

Xanthophobia is the fear of yellow and anything that carries this color. The term traces back to the Greek word "xanthos," meaning yellow. Because the color is everywhere, daily life can become tricky for someone dealing with this phobia.

Image: Vincent van Zalinge

Ablutophobia is the fear of bathing or washing. The term comes from the Latin root "abluto," which is tied to cleaning. Past trauma or anxiety about water often plays a role, making simple daily routines feel overwhelming.

Image: Al Soot

Globophobia is the fear of balloons. The word fits its round shape and often stems from a bad memory involving a loud pop. It sometimes appears alongside a fear of clowns because the two tend to show up together at events.

Image: charlesdeluvio

Ergophobia is the fear of work or workplaces. The name comes from the Greek word "ergon," meaning work. It can grow from burnout, tough job experiences, or other fears that cluster around employment. Have you ever experienced it?

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

10 Facts About The Lives Of American Presidents

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The president of the United States is, to this date, one of the most powerful and influential political figures in the entire world. Since George Washington took the oath of office in 1789 on the balcony of the Federal Hall in New York City, each president has left a mark on the American and international political landscape. Stay tuned to discover 10 interesting stories about the people behind the mantle of the president and their lives in and out of the White House!

Image: Spencer James Lucas

On April 30, 1789, George Washington became the very first president of the United States of America. On top of that, he was the only president in the history of the United States to be unanimously elected—not only once, but twice.

A surveyor by trade, Washington was appointed as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress in 1775. He successfully led the American forces to victory during the Revolutionary War.

As the first President of the United States, George Washington established many traditions that continue to this day, chief among them the practice of serving for no longer than two consecutive terms. He is also an outlier—although he oversaw its construction, he is the only president who never got to live in the White House.

Image: Joshua Bedford

Surveyor, storekeeper, postmaster, and wrestler—Abraham Lincoln was a man of many talents****and interests. At 6'4'', he is the tallest president to date. He also wore size 14 shoes, holding the record as the president with the largest shoe size.

On top of that, Abraham Lincoln was also the first US president to wear a full beard while in office. According to the story, an 11-year-old girl from New York urged him to grow it claiming that it would help Lincoln win the election.

Image: J. Amill Santiago

Thomas Jefferson has often been described as a Renaissance man. Besides his interest in politics, he was an avid reader, a polyglot who could speak, read, and write in at least four languages, and an accomplished architect.

Among his many accomplishments, Thomas Jefferson is best remembered as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, for his service as the first Secretary of State under Washington, and as the third president of the United States.

Image: Frank O. Salisbury, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The only president to have served more than two terms—he was elected a total of four times—Franklin Delano Roosevelt is, to this date, the longest-serving U.S. president. His time in office was marked by the Great Depression and the outbreak of the Second World War. He has his fair share of critics, but FDR is still well-regarded as the president who saw the United States through some of the darkest times in history.

To keep his mind sharp, Franklin D. Roosevelt entertained himself with a myriad of hobbies. He was an avid stamp collector, and he also enjoyed bird-watching and sailing in his free time.

Image: Library of Congress

Franklin D. Roosevelt's fifth cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, was an avid outdoor enthusiast. During his presidency, he established numerous National Parks, laying the groundwork for what would later become the National Park Service in 1916.

Theodore Roosevelt had a self-proclaimed photographic memory, which he put to good use: He was a prolific author, penning over 35 books covering a wide range of topics, from history and politics to nature and adventure.

Image: Library of Congress

Woodrow Wilson had just a little over two years of experience in politics when he was elected to be the 28th president of the United States in 1912. Before that, he was a professional historian, teacher, and academic. He was, also, a regular golfer.

Wilson's presidency saw the United States enter the First World War and the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He also signed the act that formally established the National Park Service as a federal bureau of the Department of Interior.

Image: Library of Congress

Harry S. Truman was Franklin D. Roosevelt's vice president. He assumed the presidency of the United States in a time of turmoil, near the end of the Second World War in 1945. After the war, he implemented the Marshall Plan to aid in the reconstruction of Europe, and his tenure saw the beginning of the Cold War era.

Interestingly, his middle name is just the initial S. There is some controversy over whether it should be written with or without a period after the S. However, according to the Truman Library & Museum, he regularly used a period when writing his own name in correspondence.

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Before he became the 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower had a decades-spanning military career. He was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War II. As president, he promoted peace and stability during the early years of the Cold War.

"Ike" enjoyed painting and golfing, and he often retreated to these hobbies to relax in times of turmoil.

Image: History in HD

Born into the prominent and wealthy Kennedy family, John F. Kennedy was elected president of the United States at the age of 43. He is the second youngest president in U.S. history after Theodore Roosevelt, who became president at 42 when he succeeded William McKinley.

Kennedy was a member of the U.S. Navy and he was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Pacific during World War II. He enjoyed practicing sports, reading, and sailing, as he was known to doodle sailboats in his notes during stressful meetings.

Image: Nicolas HIPPERT

Ronald Reagan worked as a lifeguard, as a sports commentator, and pursued a successful acting career—he served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild twice—before turning to politics.

As the 40th president of the United States, his ability to effectively communicate with the public earned him a favorable reputation and the nickname "the Great Communicator."

Ronald Reagan enjoyed sports and horseback riding, and he often retreated to his ranch in California. Also, quite famously, he had a weakness for jelly beans. According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, his favorite flavor was licorice.