cherophobia
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English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Ancient Greek χαρά (khará) + -o- + -phobia.
Noun
[edit]cherophobia (uncountable)
- (rare) aversion to being happy
- 2013, Ma Jian, Beijing Coma, page 128:
- She clasped her hands tightly around my back and said, 'Sorry I spoke to you like that. I'm frightened, that's all. In psychology it's called cherophobia — fear of happiness. I'm afraid of getting hurt. Promise me you'll never leave me.'
Usage notes
[edit]- Mainly appears in novelty word lists.