Aelurophobe

/ɪˈljʊrəˌfoʊb/ noun

Definition

A person who has an intense fear or dislike of cats.

Etymology

From Greek ailouro- (cat) plus phobos (fear). This term literally means 'cat-fearer' and describes someone with a phobia of felines.

Kelly Says

Ailurophobia is surprisingly common—some people genuinely panic around cats despite them being solitary, independent creatures. Interestingly, cats seem to know which people don't like them and actively avoid them, making the phobia self-reinforcing.

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