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candy man canes, don't fear the sweeper, don't hit me with that rhythm stick, That sly come-hither stare - Frank Sinatra, You're going to like this - not a lot - but you'll like it
The Cloud Concise Dictionary of Sparkling and Strange Words presents;
Rhabdophobia.
Pronunciation:
rab′dō-fō′bē-ă
Definition:
1. A fear of magic – particularly of magic wands, spells, curses and fortune tellers. People who are rhabdophobic are terrified of the idea of the super natural and stay away from psychics, magic shows, and illusory tricks.
2. Morbid fear of a rod (or switch) as an instrument of punishment
3. Extreme fear of being punished or severely criticized.
Etymology:
From the Greek – rhabdos ‘rod’
*Thanks given where due to the President and Founder for presenting this sparkler.
A delightful dictionary I must say because a new word learned each day helps keep the brain plaque away! 🙂
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Brain plaque, a little known malady. No flossing though or you’ll end up with a platter full of slimy snakes and no sense at all! 🙂 sonmicloud
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Yep, the dental floss shall remain reserved for teeth while books and the likes will stand in as proxies to floss the mind.
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So, is it a fear of magic, or of being punished? And what does one do if they are afraid of the rod? We all know: ‘He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes’, yet, even if we are unsure of what, or when ‘betimes’ is, has been or will be do we dare take the chance of denying this proverbs truth simply out of fear? Then, for another time perhaps, there is the punishment for performing magic, for being in contact with the supernatural. You would assume someone wanting to punish a practitioner of magic would be afraid of it, but not afraid of punishment. It can all be so confusing.
You are welcome
The President and Founder
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Most succinctly put President and Founder 😉
– sonmicloud
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Thank you again. Now, if you don’t mind…after posting my original comment I returned to my work of painting the kick-boards within the future exhibition space of The Institute when the thought occurred to me, as they do sometimes, that I could be diagnosed, by those in an official capacity to do so, as suffering from a mild case of rhabdophobia, being that I had some small amount of fear of being severely criticized for going on and on endlessly, which I do have a fear of doing, though I do not know if that particular phobia has a name, and, whether it does or it does not (have a name), I long ago stood up to the fear and now embrace it wholeheartedly.
The President and Founder
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I cannot believe such a charge could ever be levied at you! ‘Inconceivable’ (to quote from one of the finest films ever made which I have managed to leave off my impressive list, something which now that I am reminded must indeed be amended forthwith.) Never fear, for a knitter of words such as yourself would be considered a criminal to hold back his multicoloured and strangely (possibly sticky and full of sharp teeth in one corner) scarf. I for one would press charges.
– sonmicloud
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