h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You have an irrational fear of balls?

Or is it fear of being launched out of a cannon?

Erm, well, Ballistophobia is really a fear of being shot, but as there is no official word for my irrational fear that's what I go by. Or else people tend to think I'm crazy if I don't have a good, latin word for it

You got it right though - I have a silly, irrational fear of balls, but not all balls mind you (some kinds I'm quite familar with ), more like footballs and basketballs - those kinds that are most likely to hit you in the head during a session of PE. I've had it since I was a child, and I suspect it's rooted in the time I blacked out during a baseball game after a unlucky encounter with the ball.

It's not a dominating thing in my life, mind you - juuust enough to make me twinge each time I hear the sound of a baseball hitting the bat or the kicking of a football - and each time it's PE at school

Alright. What about being shot out of a cannon then?

Aren't we all?

Well there are some people who do it for a living, but I imagine they must get a little nervous each time.

Okay, so all are except for the ones who do it for the kicks, fame or money... Or they who are just bonkers in the head.