but a phobia of clowns might cause intense fear and distress at just the sight of one. According to the NHS, phobias might not have one specific cause, but are often acquired in childhood.

Once all-ages fare, clowns in America became children’s entertainment ... “Coulrophobia” is the technical term for fear of clowns. Even our slang reflects our disdain.

The miniseries didn’t just give viewers coulrophobia (fear of clowns); it taught ’90s kids ... It particularly traumatic was how it targeted children specifically, suggesting that adults ...