Why People Hate The Word "Moist"

Why do people hate the word "moist?"

According to a study conducted by Oberlin College psychology professor Paul Thibodeau, the aversion to the word "moist" derives from its connotations.

The study involved 2,500 participants and took place over four years. It found that up to 20 percent of Americans are averse to the word "moist." Those who made up the 20 percent were more likely to be younger and have more anxiety. Those disgusted by the word "moist" are not, however, averse to words that sound similar to moist, such as "hoist" and "rejoice." Thus, it's not the way the word sounds that is off-putting.

Those who are averse to the word "moist" were also turned off by "sticky" and "damp." This suggests that people are more averse to the meaning than the word itself. They were additionally averse to words describing bodily functions, such as "diarrhea" and "phlegm." Thibodeau suggests this is due to the idea that, throughout human history, those who ran from diarrhea, vomit, and similar symptoms were also those who avoided disease.