Taylor Swift has said 13 is her lucky number even when many still consider it unlucky. This year her birthday happens to fall on Friday the 13th.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac theorizes the combination of triskaidekaphobia and the fear of Friday likely combined around the late 1800’s and created apprehension to the rare day.

Dossey estimates 17 million to 21 million people in the U.S. are afflicted with triskaidekaphobia -- fear of Friday the 13th. Religious beliefs, habits and superstition blend in the jockey colony.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac theorizes the combination of triskaidekaphobia and the fear of Friday likely combined around the late 1800’s and created apprehension to the rare day.

Taylor Swift has said 13 is her lucky number even when many still consider it unlucky. See how the number keeps showing up in her career.

The drawing, which could be the fourth largest ever, totals more than $1.3 billion — and happens to fall on Friday the 13th. Some view the day as unlucky, but for others, a little superstition ...

"It's definitely a Western sort of phobia and the word for it is ' triskaidekaphobia,' " explains Rebecca Borah, professor of English at the University of Cincinnati.

Now that you know the back story behind the fear of the number 13, learn about more unusual, but very real fears you had no idea existed. [Sources: history.com, triskaidekaphobia.info] ...

Tad Stryker: Triple Triskaidekaphobia Another brutal interception means another 13-10 loss for Nebraska and denial of bowl trip Tad Stryker | Nov 24, 2023 Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports ...

Fears over the number 13 have led hotels, buildings, and elevator manufacturers to skip the 13th floor.