Friday the 13th is widely regarded as the most infamous date in Western culture, a "double-whammy" of bad luck that merges the perceived misfortune of the number 13 with the traditional gloom of Fridays. While many dismiss it as mere superstition, this date has real-world power, costing the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars annually as millions of people avoid traveling, signing contracts, or even leaving their homes. The Roots of the Fear
The fear of Friday the 13th is known scientifically as . Its origins are a blend of history, myth, and religion: Friday the 13th is widely regarded as the