In short, that's the name for an irrational fear of Friday the 13th.

The term was coined by Dr. Donald Dossey, a British therapist specializing in phobias. According to Dossey, approximately 21 million Americans suffer from the phobia. How many Canadians share that fear isn't known.

Far before the invention of hockey mask wearing freak Jason the Terrible from a done-to-death horror series, the date was feared.

A search of the Internet reveals the earliest reference to Friday the 13th being associated with negativity goes back to 1307.

On Oct. 13, 1307 the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in consort with the King of France sentenced the Knights of the Templar to death.

The knights' leader was then tortured and crucified.

Other references to the date were also noted.

One explanation said the date was vilified by priests of patriarchal religions because it represented femininity. The number 13 is revered in prehistoric cultures that worship goddesses.

Hindus believe that it is unlucky for 13 people to gather in one place. The same superstition was embraced by ancient Scandinavian cultures.

One theory, at least on a Christian front, is that many negative biblical events occurred on Friday. Those include the ejection of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, the start of the great flood and the crucifixion of Jesus.

There are a host of other theories surrounding the date, but many take them with a grain of salt (thrown over your left shoulder of course).

Yellowknife resident Carla Blingnaut embraces it as a day of freedom.

"I think it's great people can go and do what they want. People think it's when all the freaks come out and that's great because people like me can do what they want," she said.

Adding she is not extremely superstitious Blingnaut said she does have a strong belief in full moons.

"Werewolves, big time," she said.