Hacker News Reader

It bugs me when stuff like that is described as "xenophobia". It's possible to dislike something (or have a preference for the alternative) without fearing it. Even when the basis for the dislike is irrational -- if you prefer chocolate ice cream does that imply that you fear strawberry?

View on HN

The -phobia suffix doesn't indicate fear exclusively, it's also used to describe profound distaste and dislike. Just like with homophobia, One doesn't have to be specifically afraid of gay people to be homophobic, though that is often the case.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com