Of all the condiments to be afraid of, ketchup is hardly the scariest. I would say it would be a hot sauce, or maybe a really hot mustard.
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For some reason, one woman has developed mortuusequusphobia, or the fear of ketchup. The fact that it actually has a name blows my mind. Surely this woman is the only person to be afraid of ketchup.
Understandably, the Bristolian British woman is rarely taken seriously and often mocked for her foolish fear. But, she says, it is a real affliction, and she struggles every day with her mortal horror at the sight of red sauce. Being British, we have easier access to ketchup than dental care, so her daily life must be a challenge to avoid it.
Her fear of ketchup is pretty serious for her too. Anything from an inconspicuous packet to a slightly stained piece of cutlery will set her off. She shared her dread on social media, looking for some recognition amongst the ridicule.
"My worst fear is it crusting on a plate then being put in my dishwasher and infecting the whole dishwasher and all my dishes and never being able to use them again," she shared on her TikTok account.
She Isn't Alone In Ketchup Fear
There are many people who have sympathized with her irrational fear of ketchup. Rather than being made fun of, her comments are full of people who also share the same problem. Who knew the humble condiment would cause such chaos?
"Omg finally!! I tell people and they think I'm over exaggerating, I have literal panic attacks especially if it touches my skin.. I don't even buy my kids it even tho they love it," one user on TikTok sympathized.
For some the condiment skin crawling condition goes beyond a fear of ketchup. One woman shared that it includes every condiment. She wrote, "I have this but any sauce that includes vinegar every one makes my skin crawl if I can smell it In a restaurant I cannot eat my meal I'm glad I am not the only one."
What a sad life, to live without sauce. They will never know the joy of crispy, sauce-drenched chicken wings. A half-life indeed.
