Why Do We Fear and Detest Clowns?

Clowns aren’t scary. Some people, like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Johnny Depp soil their shorts whenever they see the movie It come on TV, but really, clowns get a bad rap. Now, serial killer John Wayne Gacy was pretty bad as far as clowns go, especially to young men who looked like Channing Tatum,  but besides him, there’s nothing to be scared of.  Right?

But can dozens of support groups be wrong?  The psychology behind the terror, after the jump.  

Ronald McDonald isn’t so bad, right? Besides the cholesterol-packing fries and the McHeartattack Burger Deluxe (with cheese), what’s there to fear?

Well, experts have begun to break it down.  This article explains some of the human brain’s natural distrust and revulsion at the red-nosed menace.  Clowns can be unpredictable at times and they wear makeup, which allows killer clowns from outer space to disguise themselves as regular clowns. Or something like that.

Some believe that clown’s exaggerated features are responsible for scaring little children. Some children simply don’t respond well to clowns. And if that fear is never addressed by Mom or Dad, it will more than likely linger on into adulthood. So, as time progresses, the association with these unpleasant memories will be enough to generate a fundamental fear of clowns.

Personally, I think centipedes are much scarier. Have you ever seen those things?  You probably have in your basement. They’re long with lots of legs. Much scarier than clowns. Much scarier.

But while I’m not man enough to even google up centipedes to find out what the fear of them is actually called because I know there will be a picture of one, I’ve found an old YouTube video of clowns looking scary just in case you’re afraid of them. Enjoy.