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Expert: Friday the 13th: Nothing to be Afraid of?

January 16th, 2012

Pitch

Call it what you want, friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia, both are defined as the fear of Friday the 13th, but perhaps the only thing we may have to fear is fear itself.

Expert

Rob Weiner, associate librarian, Texas Tech University Library, (806) 742-2238 ext. 282, or rob.weiner@ttu.edu.

Talking Points

The superstition of Friday the 13th
The Friday the 13th movie and television series
Friday the 13th in popular culture

Quotes

“I think the whole Friday the 13th thing gets blown out of proportion. It is like the 13th floor not existing in hotels and office buildings. One of those weird superstitions where the no. 13 is supposedly cursed.”
“The Friday the 13th movie franchise certainly helped perpetuate the notion, but it also brought about one of the most popular Boogie-men in film history, Jason, through the course of 12 films. The franchise made millions and became part of the general popular culture landscape with Jason being the subject of books, action figures, cartoons, fan films and fiction and even mash-ups.”

Provided by Texas Tech University

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