We were watching House. In the first few minutes, Gary said,
“That guy’s got that thing – what’s that called? The thing where you can’t go outside?”
“Oh. Yeah … acropophobia. That’s it.”
He started to laugh, which annoyed me. I was forced to answer his laughter.
“What is your problem? Acropophobia. Fear – ” (I explained haughtily) – “of the marketplace.”
“No,” he hooted, “That’s fear of the Acropolis.” (Guffaw.)
I almost said, “Well of course, that’s where they had the marketplace,” but I decided to cut my losses and look it up.
Agoraphobia. But you knew that.
2 responses to “It Would Be A Pain to Carry Your Groceries Down That Hill”
Knew that? I *have* that. Not quite as cripplingly so as the guy on House (I can get out and about) but I did spend an entire summer once unable to go any further away from home than about 5 blocks. That was probably more than you needed to know.
You were right on the meaning though. Agora was the Greek word for meeting place or market place. Besides, what’s Gary laughing at? He couldn’t think of it at all.