Phagophobia
/ˌfɑːɡəˈfoʊbiə/noun
An intense fear of swallowing or choking.
Did you know?Phagophobia often links to traumatic experiences with eating, revealing how deeply our minds can intertwine fear with basic human needs.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
φαγείν (phagein)
“to eat or consume.”
19th Century
English
phagophobia
“coined from Greek roots to denote fear of swallowing.”
Modern English
English
phagophobia
“describes an irrational fear that can cause severe anxiety during meals.”
Modern Usage
English
phagophobia
“recognized in psychology as a specific phobia, affecting daily life.”
Explore more surprising origins