The scientific term for the fear of the number 13 is "triskaidekaphobia." This term combines the Greek word "triskaideka," which means thirteen, and "phobos," meaning fear. Triskaidekaphobia can manifest in various irrational behaviors and anxieties, leading some people to avoid events, places, or situations associated with the number 13. For instance, many buildings skip the 13th floor, labeling it as the 14th instead. This superstition dates back centuries and is prevalent in many cultures, reflecting a broader concern with the number's perceived bad luck, possibly linked to biblical events and cultural folklore.