gnomophobia

English

Etymology

gnome +‎ -o- +‎ -phobia

Noun

gnomophobia (uncountable)

1. (informal, humorous) A fear or dislike of garden gnomes.
   • 2009, "Elton John, Ont. premier announce animation funding", CTV News, 26 May 2009:

     Pop superstar Elton John says "gnomophobia" is partly to blame for the delay in getting his animated film, "Gnomeo and Juliet," brought to life.

   • 2013, Sarah Lyall, "Common Gnomes Pop Up at Rarefied Flower Show, to Horror of Many", The New York Times, 20 May 2013:

     “It’s good to confront the received wisdom that all gnomes are nasty,” Mr. Llewelyn-Bowen said. Referring to his wife, he added: “Also, Jackie has had to overcome her poshness and confront her gnomophobia.”

   • 2014, Sonia Day, "Gnomes back in gardeners’ good graces: The Real Dirt", Toronto Star, 29 March 2014:

     As for me, I’m a fence sitter. The little red-shirted men sitting with fishing poles beside ponds are — ouch — insufferably cute. Yet I also think there is way too much snobbery in gardening.

     So if our gnomophobia is waning, that’s surely a good thing.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:gnomophobia.