Petrified that's it's Friday the 13th?! Well you're not alone as a third of Britons say that they will change their plans today for fear of something bad happening.

The phobia is so common it now has its own special name, Triskaidekaphobia - a fear of Friday the 13th. 

It appears that we're a superstitious lot as nearly three-quarters of British adults have said that they have suffered bad luck on a previous Friday 13th. 

Unfortunately for those who might lock themselves up in the house for the day for fear of bad luck, will have to face two this year, with the next one in October. 

Things people will do today:

  • Not travelling for fear you could be in an accident or long delays
  • Rescheduling an important meeting to avoid the wrong outcome 
  • Reschedule a dentist appointment
  • Avoid making a big purchase like a car
  • Keeping away from mirrors and ladders

So where does this superstition come from?

Some say its from Jesus' last supper where 13 people were present the night before his death, which happened on a Friday. 

Thanks to a string of events that have occurred on this day, many feel it is jinxed and pay particular care to avoid catastrophe when it comes around.

On Friday October 13, 1307, thousands of Crusader warriors were imprisoned and later tortured by officers of the French King Philip IV.

The Nazis dropped a bomb on Buckingham Palace on Friday September 13, 1940, during a blitz in World War 2.

On Friday October 13, 1972, a plane crashed in the Andes killing 12.