"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."

Now "frightening and unknowable" will be popping up all over the place in my temporary lexicon. It's a fantastic phrase.

I did not know this was here when (I posted it to MeFi. (I was googling up the most detailed report, and some back-up links.)

When I was little (second grade) my aunt decided I should collect something. Instead of asking me what I would possibly like to collect she decided that I would love to collect clowns. Every xmas, birthday or occasion special to her - a freaky, creepy clown figurine (or even worse, creepy stuffed clown toy - HI POLTERGEIST!) would show up. UNTIL I WAS A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. I never liked the clowns but my mom couldn't figure out how to tell her to knock that shit off.

I was freaked out by those guys dressed as Disney characters in Disneyland. We have footage of me running away screaming whenever they came to try and pose with me.

That and giraffe statues. Or anything with a long neck.

I once got on an F train, to find that the car I had entered was deserted save for a bunch of clowns. I assumed that it was deserted because so many people don't like clowns. Turns out that, while that might have been part of it, it was also because the clowns weren't just clowns -- they were Clowns For Jesus. Now I can check that off my list of things to do before I die -- be proselytized to by a clown.

hehehe.

Actually, old fashioned circus clowns (as in a whole bunch all coming out of a very small VW and other fun physical comedy gags a la Buster Keaton) are good clowns. It's the balloon trick birthday party clowns that I don't like much.

Can't sleep, clowns will eat me.