Palindromophobia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An irrational fear or aversion to palindromes, words or numbers that read the same forwards and backwards
2. A morbid dread of palindromic words, phrases or numbers that look the same when reversed
3. The specific phobia of palindromes, a persistent anxiety triggered by words or figures that read identically in both directions

Etymology: "Palindrome" comes from Greek "palindromos," meaning "running back again," from "palin" ("back, again") and "dromos" ("running, course"). The image is of a runner reaching the end of a course and turning straight back, which suits a phrase or word that reads the same forwards and backwards. "Palindromophobia" adds the Greek "phobos," meaning "fear," the same element found in words like "arachnophobia." It is a modern formation built on the pattern of older -phobia words, used for an aversion to, or dread of, palindromes.