http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulrophobia

Coulrophobia

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Coulrophobia is an abnormal or exaggerated fear of clowns. The term is common, but is not commonly used in psychology.^[1] The prefix "coulro-" comes from the Ancient Greek κωλοβαθριστής (kōlobathristēs), “one who goes on stilts”.

Coulrophobia can also be said to extend to a fear of covering up one's face with paint—the idea of hiding recognisable features under a layer of face paint can also unsettle coulrophobia sufferers.^[1]

In July 2006 the Bestival, a three-day music festival held in England, had to withdraw a request to festival goers to come dressed as clowns due to the unexpectedly high rate of coulrophobia among the potential audience.^[2]