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This is a Day for Paraskavedekatriaphobia

By Margaret Woda

Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

June 12, 2008 11:56 PM

6/13/08 Do you suffer from Paraskavedekatriaphobia? Perhaps you do, without realizing it's the term for fear of Friday the 13th. There's a lot of it going around today!

According to Wikipedia, the term is derived from the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή), meaning Friday, and dekatreís (δεκατρείς), meaning thirteen, attached to phobía (φοβία), meaning fear. This superstition has roots as far back as 1307, with the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday October 13, 1307, and it became widespread in many cultures during the 20th century.

Millions of people are paralyzed by fear today (up to 21 million in the United States alone) and won't travel, do business or - in some cases - even get out of bed.

Friday the 13th falls in any month that begins with a Sunday. It happens only once this year, but it will occur three times in 2009 - February, March and November.

Here's what's happening today, Friday, June 13, 2008:

The 2008 Tamil block-buster film Dasavatharam will be released in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, USA and UK.
Friday the Thirteenth, a gathering for motorcycle enthusiasts held in the Canadian beach town of Port Dover, Ontario is held every Friday the 13th.
The Happening will be released.
The first TV special on iCarly, "iCarly Saves TV" will be aired.
The Incredible Hulk will be released.
Microsoft's Zune music player will be released.

Please comment if you have a settlement, a listing appointment, or a showing scheduled today, and let us know how it goes. To Karen - my apprentice in the Makeover2Takeover Contest - maybe we should re-think our plans to submit this week's entry today. Just kidding!

For more about Friday, the 13th, check out David Emery's report on About.com.

For a list of things to do in the Crofton Maryland area today, visit Focus On Crofton.

______________________________

Note: Free Horror Wallpaper on HorrorStew.com is the source of this graphic, used in part.

This is your LUCKY day, if you're looking for someone to help you with real estate in Maryland. Contact Margaret Woda, RE/MAX Vision (mwoda@remax.net) at 410-451-1900.

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Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

I'm laughing at/with all you guys and gals! Great and fun comments.

'Still catching up on reciprocating comments on my last post, but I'm going to continue my temporary practice of visiting your blogs to reciprocate rather than comment on your comments individually - at least while the Makeover2Takeover Contest is going on. That's really eating ino the time I have budgeted for ActiveRain, but it's a great experience.

Thanks for understanding!

Jun 13, 2008 12:28 AM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Margaret, did you realize that I've got a fear of trying to pronounce Paraskavedekatriaphobia?

Jun 13, 2008 12:45 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Margaret, I didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th today until I read your post. It must be my lucky day, my wife is taking me out to lunch today.

Good Post!

Jun 13, 2008 01:14 AM

Fran Gaspari

Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA

"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Margaret,

I have always been OK with Friday 13th, but what do you call it when you have a fear of that "WORD"...? LOL Thanks, Fran

Jun 13, 2008 01:24 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Margaret - I also didn't realize that it was Friday the 13th today. I haven't ever been superstitious - in fact, I used to do "unlucky" things on purpose just to show that they don't affect me (walking under ladders, letting a black cat cross my path, etc.). Have a great day! I doubt that any of us will really notice any difference.

Jun 13, 2008 04:24 AM

Jesse Clifton

Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

I didn't realize it was Friday the 13th either... That could explain a few things about the way the morning is going. haha

Oh, and thanks, I think, for adding that word to my vocabulary.

Jun 13, 2008 04:54 AM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

OK, you made me look. I never heard that term, but ANY Friday has to be good. TGIF.

Jun 13, 2008 06:23 AM

Lori Franks

Real Estate Consultant - Brookings, OR

Brookings, Oregon

OHHH NO Margaret..... Leslie just left your thirteenth comment...good thing I am posting and making it 14!

Jun 13, 2008 06:33 AM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

So far today, in my world - My baby grandson was diagnosed with asthma, his great-grandfather (on his mother's side) had a stroke, and my dog woke up sick...

Jun 13, 2008 06:46 AM

Jesse Clifton

Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Geez, you're off to a good start on that Friday the 13th thing. If you see a guy in a hockey mask... whatever you do, don't offer him a ride. :)

PS. I sure hope everyone, including Fido is ok.

Jun 13, 2008 10:17 AM

Judy Tuscano

Prudential Verani Realty - Nottingham, NH

NH Real Estate Professional

Margaret - This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it:)

Jun 13, 2008 10:42 AM

Heidi Webb

RE/MAX Sunset Realty - La Pine, OR

Broker

My daughter who is 14 reminded me this morning, that today is FRIDAY THE 13TH. I'm not a believer in the whole thing that catastrophe is in the near feature but, our weather here in Central Oregon is finally turning to spring like temps, so I thought that's a GREAT excuse to not go to work (HA HA). Well I ended up going to work and having a great day as usual.

Heidi

Jun 13, 2008 11:18 AM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Thanks for the post. Interesting information. Doesn't have to be a scary day. After all it is some people's birthday.

Jun 13, 2008 06:18 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Margaret, That certainly was a big word. I read like I do when I am eating an elephant, one bit at a time, :-) A very interesting subject and very suitable for the day.And quite interesting as to it's origins. I didn't realize it was the 13th, until way to much of the day had passed and it was already productive. I suppose if I realized it sooner, I could have screwed up the day,lol,.

I usually am not a big fan of TV but I watched the last 30 minutes of the US Open going on here in San Diego. Tiger is now only one stroke out. Obviously he didn't realize it was the 13 th either,lol. Sure glad he didn't. I'm a huge fan.

Jun 13, 2008 06:26 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Ahhhh.... Relief! For anyone worried about Friday the 13th, you can now celebrate a new day - Saturday the 14th! 'Guess this means I have to come up with a new blog topic and catch up with reciprocating your comments.

Jun 14, 2008 12:19 AM

Debbie Summers

Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Margaret - We had a buyer ask our seller to move their closing to Monday because of the date. The seller laughed, but said yes.

Jun 14, 2008 05:12 AM

Patti A. Puckett

Broker Associate/Realtor/ISA with Nouveau Riche - Belvidere, IL

LOL; Margaret, thanks for the great info! I completely forgot....probably a good thing because yesterday was a lovely day and we, too always felt that Fri the 13th was a beautiful day because our baby (19 yrs old) was born on Fri the 13th and he was a very very sick baby (for years) Doctors always said he was my miracle child; and he is doing well know (for the most part) and he is the JOY of my life. So HAPPY FRIDAY the 13th (PAST)

Jun 14, 2008 04:25 PM

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD

Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Hmmm Friday the 13th. Well I was suppose to have a settlement that day but.... you got it. Friday the 13th took over and it was postponed. At least it wasn't cancelled.

Jun 15, 2008 04:24 AM

Katie Landon Lewes

Jack Lingo REALTORS - Lewes, DE

REALTORS

Hi Margaret! Nice job, I am not a superstition and have always kinda giggle at the whole Friday the 13th thing. I hope all is well in MD. The beach is wonderful not to crowded yet.

Jun 17, 2008 07:48 AM

Susie Blackmon

Ocala, FL

Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

I'm not superstitious but enjoyed reading all the comments. I never think about the 13th unless I'm in an elevator and then I notice the 13th floor isn't there!