Triskadekaphobia - Greek for the fear of the number 13, but?

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Triskadekaphobia - Greek for the fear of the number 13, but?

Deka tria is thirteen in Greek, why the the change in spelling?

2006-10-13 00:12:29 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay

2 answers

The word is derived from Ancient Greek whereas you appear to be quoting from the Modern version.

τρεις και δεκα (treis kai deka) = thirteen
τρισκαιδεκατος (triskaidekatos) = thirteenth

The ancient way of saying 13 was "three and ten"

2006-10-13 11:16:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋

The correct spelling is triskaidekaphobia

Greek treiskaideka, thirteen (treis, three; + kai, and; + deka, ten) + phobia

2006-10-13 08:11:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋