In the words of Hamlet's father: `List, list, O list'
Unusual Phobias No 3: Agaphobia - fear of being made fun of for having a trendy stove
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ten things that are said to
be good if strong, or even
extra strong
Peppermints
Ale
Arm tactics
Man in a circus
Feelings
Box
Room
Language
Bow
Drink
Ten subjects introduced into pub quizzes in order to baffle the intellectuals and swots who would otherwise know everything and win every time
TV soaps
Pop music
Sport
TV signature tunes
Video games
Footballers' nicknames
Famous moustaches
History of underwear
Cartoon characters
History of crime
Ten unfortunate ways to open a conversation
"I don't know anyone here."
"Haven't we met somewhere before?"
"I'm sure I know your face from somewhere..."
"You're from Barnsley, aren't you?"
"There's someone in Barnsley who is the spitting image of you."
"You'd like Barnsley."
"So, what do you think of this Monica Lewinsky business then?"
"Did you see the news the other night?"
"Did you see the papers this morning?"
"What line of business are you in, then?"
Ten unusual phobias
Agoraphobia - fear of old Greek market places
Aguephobia - fear of getting diseases mentioned only by Shakespeare, which no living doctor can cure any more
Agaphobia - fear of being made fun of for having a trendy stove
Aggrophobia - fear of being duffed up by football fans
Aghaphobia - fear of the leader of a small Ismaili sect
Accraphobia - fear of being beaten up in a lawless African city
Agraphobia - fear of being overcharged by an Indian tour operator
Acrephobia - fear of not being able to convert English land values into hectares
Eigerphobia - fear of falling off snowy heights
Agar-agarophobia - fear of any gelatinous substance made from seaweed
Ten poncy words that people use as an alternative to `two'
Duo
Brace
Duet
Diptych
Brace
Twain
Coupling
Tandem
Deuce
Twosome
Ten unsatisfying ways to end a conversation
"Let's agree to differ, shall we?"
"It's only a game, after all"
"Some you win, some you lose."
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"Good heavens, is that the time?"
"I've just seen someone over there I really must grab before they go..."
"Oh, well, it takes all sorts..."
"I've just realised you're not the person I thought you were."
"I have just realised you are so pig-headed that I am going to beat you over the head with golf clubs."
"We must do lunch."
Ten books never referred to by name, but only by the names of the people who started them
Wisden
Debrett's
Burke's
Roget's
Chambers'
Fowler
Pears
Brewer's
Larousse
Webster's
Ten things which are useless by themselves but which we always keep, just in case
A single sock
A single glove
One Monopoly pounds 5 note
An earring
Any button
One screw lying innocently on the car floor
Fifty-one playing cards
One phone number on a loose piece of paper, no name attached
A nearly empty bottle of flat tonic water
A single spare shoe lace
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments