Coulrophobia

Clowns, or even pictures of clowns, can cause people with coulrophobia anxiety, a racing heart, nausea and sweating. The term only appeared in the 1980s or 1990s and its origin is uncertain; according to a widespread theory, it comes from the Greek kōlobathristēs, “one who walks on stilts”. The scary clown was also popularised by Pennywise, the character from Stephen King’s novel “It”.