Bacillophobia

/ˌbæsɪloʊˈfoʊbiə/ noun

Definition

An irrational fear of bacilli or rod-shaped bacteria.

Etymology

From bacillus + -phobia (Greek phobos, 'fear'). This combines the bacterial term with the common suffix for phobias, which are excessive fears of specific things.

Kelly Says

Bacillophobia became particularly common after the germ theory of disease became popular in the late 1800s—suddenly people realized invisible bacteria surrounded them everywhere.

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