Definition

As you know, I have a rubber duck who sits on my desk ready to listen when I have a problem. This is known as Rubber Duck Debugging and is the well known technique for solving difficult problems.

In fact, my home study has a rubber duck who flashes different colours when you touch him the right way. It’s very reassuring to know that he is happy when I talk to him.

But it’s possible to “fear the rubber duck”. You don’t want to be in a situation when the person in the next desk hears you talking to your duck. Because that’s just silly, right ? Your duck is NOT watching and waiting to talk to you… is he ?

That fear has a name.

Anatidaephobia – The fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you.

You must get over these fears. You must be strong. Fear is the mind killer, and you will not solve the unsolveable until you speak with Rubber Duck.

Quack. Quack.

Reference

anatidaephobia nonce-word the fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you [coined by Gary Larson, The Far Side]