Why are people so afraid of clowns?

Answer 1

I used to be afraid of clowns mostley because of their unpredictability. they defied all norms of convention by performing silly antics while seeking your approval. they are extroverts that will stop at nothing to make you giggle. plus their big red noses and face war paint are facades that have deeper meaning. everything about them is exaggerated. they are representations of psychotic madmen running amok while society cheers them on. in other words, they're simply irresistible.

Answer 2

Well, right from go, they are not what they seem - and as you get closer and you see the often not too happy face beneath that painted on smile it is disconcerting. Pair that with gruesome clown figures in TV, movies and literature (can we all say Steven King?) you have a complete recipe for clown phobia (never mind that creepy clown music that goes along with these characters - just slightly distorted circus tunes it seems). Maybe in some people it stems back to being too young when they first experienced a clown - those loud noises and sudden moves, coupled with the makeup can scare a lot of kids. Sorry.

Peace!

Answer 3

Thursday March 10, 2005 Previous | Next

Dear Yahoo!:
A lot of my friends seem to have a fear of clowns. Why is this?
Jessica
San Francisco, California

Dear Jessica:
It's strange how clowns send so many folks running for the exits. Actually, maybe not. Anyone who's read "It" by Stephen King or stumbled across a picture of serial killer John Wayne Gacy in floppy shoes is understandably a bit on-edge at the circus (or the rodeo, for that matter).
The official term for this irrational aversion to red-nosed entertainers is coulrophobia. While many are merely creeped out by clowns, the fear runs much deeper for others, affecting their daily lives.

Several theories attempt to explain the origins of the phobia, though none seem definitive. One of the more interesting comes from Kathryn Cillick. She believes most people are afraid of clowns because it's impossible to gauge a clown's true emotions. Thanks to painted-on smiles, people can't distinguish if the clown is as happy as he seems or if he's actually about to bite somebody's face off.

Several celebrities are decidedly anti-clown. Rapper P. Diddy has a "no clown" clause in his concert contracts. Johnny Depp had nightmares of clowns as a kid. And, of course there's Bart Simpson, whose utterance "Can't sleep, clown will eat me" speaks volumes about his feelings on the subject.

Thank goodness Jerry Lewis' "The Day the Clown Cried" was never released, lest we all be in straitjackets.

Answer 4

Because clowns are weird. Just what is supposed to be funny or amusing about a clown. They are just weird people dressed in a loud bulky weird costume. It surprises me that they are not attacked whenever they appear. xx

Answer 5

I'm not afraid of clowns...I just think they are weird. Like someone overwinding a toy. Just too over the top for me.

Answer 6

Because they're always so happy with their sinister grins...like they know something we don't....
And if anyone says this was posted in the wrong section, I can assure them that clowns effect humans on a very spiritual level...

Answer 7

I HATE CLOWNS! *you here L-dog=) running away in fear at the very mention of the word 'clown'* CLOWNS ARE EVIL! DOLLS FREAK ME OUT!!!!!!!!

I hope that helps answer your question.

Answer 8

let me tell u brother i dont like them cause i watched that dran movie called IT with that weird clown thats a good reason lol

Answer 9

Imagine facing someone resembling bush or ahmadenijad or perhaps mugabe and more! they are clowns, and not to be trusted!

Answer 10

Because they are carnies who are hiding something.

.....and that serial killer didn't help the clown community at all.