Clowns just have an inherent evilness. I went to the circus last year, just to test my fear and see if I was ok with them... let me tell you, once one got about 2 rows away from me I almost pissed myself, so NOPE, at 27 I was still scared of those evil bastards. They are like dogs in the way that once they smell the fear they come after you.

When i was a little girl,about five, my dad used to get up real early to go to work. ( he was active duty army officer then) and he would come in to my room and tickle my feet while i slept.It would wake me up, but i couldnt tell who was doing it as the room was dark.
Finally, i told my dad what was going on, and he said that clowns were coming into my room and tickling my feet.
That is one reason I hate them. I also cannot have my feet touched to this day.
And my dad and i are estranged.

I always have.... its not a phobia its always been a disgust but I think My hatred grew as they kept trying to eat me in my sleep!

Personally (and thank you Eris for telling me about this tribe) there are a lot of reasons I hate clowns, but none because of something tramatic happening to me. Lets see...let me list the reasons why I hate clowns...

1) The makeup...you are suppose to believe that this is a happy person, with a grin always planted upon their face...but beneath the makeup could be the world's most evil man/woman you will ever know. They are hiding...and it is frightening to know that they aren't what they are trying to put forth. Well at least to think that.

2) "Clownhouse" - an old movie, made in the 1980's - about three clowns that escaped from prison...well three men and they killed three clowns and placed on their makeup, then followed three young boys home...of course their parents were gone and because these evil evil men were dressed as clowns, they were thought to be good. I still can't watch that movie alone and I love horror movies.

3) Someone else said this...and I totally agree. They sense fear...not kidding. If a clown knows you don't like them (at carnivals, circuses, etc.) they attach themselves to you. You cannot get away from them. AT ALL. Why is this???

4) John Wayne Gacy - although I don't really...well connect him to clowns as much as I should...but he is a perfect example of an evil man, pretending to be all happy, cheerful and SANE behind makeup.

5) The damn shoes...I don't know what it is about those shoes but they scare me. Man, they freak me out.

So now that you all know that I am whacked beyond belief...I shall go...

Miche

PS - I am happy to know I am not alone in this phobia!

I hate clowns for the very reason that everyone else put. You know what my friend did to me the other night she made me watch killer clowns from outer space. I closed my eyes for most of the movie. I HATE CLOWNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

overall. i find their bright colors and goofy over the top attitudes intimidating. specifically, as a child at my younger cousin's birhtday party, a clown chose to dress me up and put grease paint on my face. they made me into a frowny hobo clown, the kind with the 5 o'clock shadow. immediately after the party my mom took me to a large grocery store with her and i had to walk around while people pointed and laughed at me. quite traumatic.

When I was about 3, one skated up right behind me in the grocery store (some fucked up store promo) to offer me a balloon. It really scared me and ever since, I've been totally freaked by their old-man in drag quality.

because they hide who they really are. The darkness inside of their evil souls.. hidden beneath the playfullness of their make-up.. shudderrrrrrrrr I just dont like them.. I am 42 years old and I still cannot see movies like IT.. oh man.. just cant do it..

I knov vhat you mean. I hate it vhen they call me a clovn.

This may sound weird, but I was five and EVERY night for a long time I would have a dream about a clown chasing my family with a knife and all I could do to get away was to crawl because I was so terrified I could not run.
It's strange because I don't ever remember having any contact with clowns.

I had a loving and "sane" family. I have never figured out why I had that dream or what made me so terrified of clowns.