Not phobias but loathing?

[SteveGlo]

I was wondering if there is a suffix, similar to phobia, which means 'loathing of'. I know that 'fear and loathing' may be closely associated but I often think that phobia doesn't exactly describe how I feel about something.

For example I loathe crowds but I don't think I am actually afraid of them (agoraphobia).

I'm sure a psychologist would disagree but ...

 

[ChrisHunt]

I think -phobia can sometimes mean loathing rather than fear, "Xenophobia" being the example that comes to mind. Still, that's probably an exceptional case.

A more general one might be words like "misanthropy" and "misogyny", so in your case how about "misagoraphy"?

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[PaulTEG]

to my understanding a phobia is a fear often irrational for anyone observing, but all too real for the observed.

again TMU,a loathing of something is contempt for, or hatred for.

Not everyone hates that which they fear.

It's a tough one. Xenophobia, is an irrational fear of all foreign people, but that's most likely indicative of something deeper, so perhaps the associated loathing of all these persons is a function of the condition rather than an outright loathing.

Good question
--Paul

Spend an hour a week on CPAN, helps cure all known programming ailments ;-)

 

[sbudzynski]

When I was little I used to think loathe and love were the same thing. I guess you all can tell how my mom reacted when I told her how much I loathed her.

I loathe you too

Steve Budzynski

 

[LFI]

I'm making this up, but since "-phile" is used to mean "lover of", how about "-foil" (which dictionary.com offers an archaic definition as "A repulse; a setback.").

You could say you were a xenofoil (xenofoile? xenophoil? xenophoile?).

On the other hand,

http://www.bartleby.com/68/76/4576.html

states:

The suffix -phile means “someone who likes, desires, or loves (someone or something)”: An Anglophile delights in all things English. The suffix -phobe is an antonym of -phile; it means “someone who dislikes, fears, or hates (someone or something)”: An Anglophobe hates all things English.

So, you can take poetic license or defer to Bartleby.

Interesting question!

--Dave

 

[SteveGlo]

Thanks folks. It does seem that hatred, dislike or loathing of and fear of are inextricably linked. I have found that when I tell soemone that I have -phobia they always seem to interpret it as a fear of that thing rather than a dislike, loathing , etc of it.

One for the psychologists I think.

Have you noticed that if you tell a psychiatrist that you have -phobia they tend not to believe you but if you let them diagnose you as having that -phobia they do?

 

[PaulTEG]

No Steve, not that I've noticed ;-)

Spend an hour a week on CPAN, helps cure all known programming ailments ;-)

 

[Thadeus]

It has been suggested by spiritual-author, Neale Donald Walsch, that there are only two root feelings: one love and one fear. (Or as Bartleby's note above -phile and -phobe). All other emotions are only our own attempt to "describe" the degree of our fear or love.

~Thadeus

 

[jebenson]

It has been suggested by spiritual-author, Neale Donald Walsch, that there are only two root feelings: one love and one fear. (Or as Bartleby's note above -phile and -phobe). All other emotions are only our own attempt to "describe" the degree of our fear or love.

In my psychology studies I came across the idea that the body's physical response in any given intense emotionional situation is the same - "sinking" feeling in the lower abdomen, heightened awareness, jittery feeling (from adrenaline), etc. It is through social cues that we learn to interpret these bodily responses as either positive (e.g., love) or negative (e.g., fear).

I used to rock and roll every night and party every day. Then it was every other day. Now I'm lucky if I can find 30 minutes a week in which to get funky. - Homer Simpson

 

[CajunCenturion]

Neale Donald Walsch is an interesting person with some rather unique views.

Here is a transcript of an episode of Larry King Live. You need to read the entire interview to get a handle on his philosphy.

Good Luck
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[ChrisHunt]

Hmmm... I liked this bit from Larry:

if you’re gay or you’re – or you’re, supposedly – you know, thing – you’re bisexual or anything like that

"thing"?

Walsh seems decent enough, as God-botherers go.


-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[LFI]

Funny timing, but I just read this in David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day (very funny and highly recommended, by the way):

Due to my general aversion to machines and a few pronounced episodes of screaming, I was labeled a technophobe, a term that ranks fairly low on my scale of fightin' words. The word 'phobic' has its place when properly used, but lately it's been declawed by the pompous insistence that most animosity is based upon fear rather than loathing. No credit is given for distinguishing between these two very different emotions. I fear snakes. I hate computers. My hatred is entrenched, and I nourish it daily. I'm comfortable with it, and no community outreach program will change my mind.

Have a great day!

--Dave

 

[SteveGlo]

Dave

Thanks that quote is of great interest to me. I had never heard of David Sedaris - I shall have to see if I can find a copy.

Steve