(humorous) The fear of long words. 2002 April 19, anonymous, The Scotsman, page 13: However, we assume that despite the best endeavours of science, some phobias will always remain. These include paraskavedekatriaphobia, or fear of Friday the 13th. And hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia, which is fear of long words. 2002 December 14, Chris Lloyd, The Northern Echo, page 10: Those who find this column troubling are suffering from hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- the fear of long words.