Phobias

[John Boy]

is there a word for fear of giving the wrong answer?

[RCP]

Just nerves I'd say rather than a phobia. There is a prevalence these days to try and turn ordinary feelings into medical conditions (I am not saying you are guilty of this by the way). However, if there were such a phobia I think Tony Blair must suffer from it which is why he never answers the questions directed at him.

[John Boy]

My girlfriend thinks the word for fear of giving the wrong answer is 'Relationship'...

[Dsg]

There most certainly is !! However I'm afraid that I cannot possibly tell you !!

[John Boy]

DSG... you wouldn't be scared of giving the wrong answer would you?

[Quizmonster]

Most phobia-names are made up of the appropriate Greek word plus 'phobia'. On that basis, how about 'lathophobia'? That's from the Greek word for 'mistake', so would mean 'fear of making mistakes' and would - at least in large part - fit the situation you describe.

[Quizmonster]

RCP, What Tony Blair suffers from is not a phobia at all but rather its opposite...a philia. How about 'synchyzanoitophilia'? That's "the love of confusing fools", as witness his handling of opponents at PMQs.

[Dsg]

Can't find an exact match but try: Atychiphobia - fear of failure, Catagelophobia - fear of being ridiculed or Laliophobia - fear of speaking. for more visit http://www.phobialist.com/reverse.html#M-

[RCP]

Quizmonster - Agreed, and I suppose it must be difficult to resist with the amount of targets facing him across the chamber.