Why are people so scared of clowns?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

Just wondering if I have missed something. Is it all to do with the clown from It? Or were there other scary clowns in movies or books?

It's an irrational phobia, nothing to do with Gacy as it's been around as long as clowns have.
Some people have a phobia about balloons, cotton wool, bananas etc. I am sure there is a phobia for anything in existence..

I have arachnophobia (terror of spiders). I know my fear is irrational - but it is very real.

From what I read somewhere, fear of spiders is not totally irrational - it's believed that humans used to be hunted by spider-like predators.

As many have said, seeing faces obscured is scary for many people. As a child, I didn't like seeing people in swimming hats so I couldn't see their hair, or crash helmets, or pictures of astronauts. I remember being uneasy during a game of pin the tail: each child had not just their eyes covered with a bandanna, but their whole face. (I didn't mind when it was my turn though - in fact, I wanted to keep the bandanna on, so I wouldn't have to see everyone else doing it.)

From what I read somewhere, fear of spiders is not totally irrational - it's believed that humans used to be hunted by spider-like predators.

WTF?!? In someone’s fevered imagination, maybe. Back here on Planet Earth....

Not sure I'm scared exactly, but I've never liked them. I suppose it's because they are meant to be funny.

BBC test card clown responsible.

Noughts-and-Crosses-playing little bastard.

scoobydoo1971

Don't do clowns, marionettes, puppets like thunderbirds or punch and judy etc, ventriloquist dummies - yuck!

It's because they're fucking demented that's why.
That also covers twats dressed as statues and robots.
I'm so glad robot spider clowns are definitely not a thing.

My MIL had a gigantic glass cabinet filled fucking terrifying china faced dolls. I swear their eyes followed you around the room.

I bet she made them herself in a spooky attic, come to think of it. I also think there may be one that looks like me lying up there, with pins in it