# Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians: the problem is you, not the 666 in the damn thing! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793 "2005-12-02T19:37:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/1 "2005-12-02T19:37:41Z")
_Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666._ - Revelation 13:18 One thing I do understand: lots of people really do not know how to calculate. A few months ago I had a customer that got worried that the wireless network had the last 3 numbers in the network name as 666 (number is assigned at random) no problem, the name was easily changed in the wireless properties. Last month, a different customer did go like this: “Well, my security code that is printed under the device is xxxx666xxxxx, I need to replace my device”… :dubious: :eek: ☹ :mad: :smack: My lead told me once that in one occasion one customer called to say that an agent she talked before was a devil worshipper and tried to get him fired! Management only give him/her thanks and merrily ignored that complaint. I would not be surprised that it was because he/she was sarcastic with that customer, in any case, I had to be careful: never once mentioning Satan, the rapture or the apocalypse I explained that it was just an unfortunate coincidence and it was easily solved by changing the security key. Unfortunately the customer was not satisfied with that, not wanting to waste time, we decided to replace the device. Listen you knuckle ruptured rapture heads, we already survived the Presidency of Ronald Wilson Reagan (666) and his address was 666 St. Cloud Road (Nancy did change it to 668, which made them the neighbors of the beast 😛 ) [http://home.mcn.net/~willfree/coincidence/reagan.htm](http://home.mcn.net/~willfree/coincidence/reagan.htm) Earlier Bible writings had the number as 616, so enough on guessing what is the number of the beast. 666 is just a number! Stop wasting time and money to satisfy your superstitions! And yet one can feel that that is a losing battle: [http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us666.htm](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us666.htm) > [@](#): > > The identical Joint Memorial Resolutions described U.S. 666 as “the site of many accidents,” noting that “although the rate of accidents has decreased due to road improvements, it is still a dangerous stretch of highway.” Then the resolutions got to the point: > > WHEREAS, people living near the road already live under the cloud of opprobrium created by having a road that many believe is cursed running near their homes and through their homeland; and > WHEREAS, the number “666” carries the stigma of being the mark of the beast, the mark of the devil, which was described in the book of revelations in the Bible; and > HEREAS, there are people who refuse to travel the road, not because of the issue of safety, but because of the fear that the devil controls events along United States route 666; and > WHEREAS, the economy in the area is greatly depressed when compared with many parts of the United States, and the infamy brought by the inopportune naming of the road will only make development in the area more difficult. > > Based on these considerations, the Joint Memorial Resolutions requested a new numeric designation as quickly as possible, adding that, “changing the numeric designation of United States route 666 would provide an added degree of comfort for those using the road.” Well, that looked like a point, as in one that applies to the shape of the heads of the ones believing that nonsense. > [@](#): > > As S. U. Mahesh of the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department told the Albuquerque Journal, which number ended up on the highway was not important. “As long as it’s not 666 and it’s nothing satanic, that’s OK.” :smack: [666…Mark of the Idiot](http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8666/ea-nmhighway666.html) > [@](#): > > I happen to love Science, Philosophy…and History. Changing the Devil’s Highway number from 666 to 491 has buried forever a piece of history. If any of these ‘meddlers’ had cared to do a bit of research, they would have found that highway 666 was given its designation in 1942, when it became the sixth major road to branch off the newly created Route 66. Personally, I think that’s kinda ‘cool’, and I’m going to do my part to keep that little bit of trivia alive. > > “491, Hell !” For me it will always be 666, and even the Devil can’t take that from me! Incidentally, that change was made in early 2003, what happened then? The US got into the stupid Iraq war; I think God really is now having it with ignorance. So, for all those that think that everything will be fine by changing a number I say: Fuck you! And the 4 horses of the apocalypse you rode in on! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/2 "2005-12-02T19:47:58Z")
Along the same lines, we have no 13th Ave here in SF: 11th, 12th, Funston, 14th, 15th… :smack: We do have a 13th St, however. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/3 "2005-12-02T19:52:27Z")
In doing some research one time, I came across a local transaction where a piece of land was purchased for a church for £666. Made me blink a bit – but the church is still going. No lightning bolts, yet. Maybe they didn’t notice. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/4 "2005-12-02T20:15:17Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > Along the same lines, we have no 13th Ave here in SF: 11th, 12th, Funston, 14th, 15th… :smack: > > We do have a 13th St, however. That reminded me of the only piece of glurge from the web found to be accurate and useful as a good antidote for that phobia: regarding the US and the dollar bill: > **[The meanings of the symbols on the dollar bill-Truth!](https://www.truthorfiction.com/dollarbill/)** > > The Meanings of the Symbols On the One Dollar Bill-Truth!   Summary of eRumor: This email asks you to look at the one dollar bill and explains the > [@](#): > > They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor But, think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in “E Pluribus Unum”, 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the Eagle’s wing, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoneyKingofNowhere)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/5 "2005-12-02T20:19:26Z")
In high school we lost a football game 66-6 between two Catholic schools on Friday the 13th. The field we played on was also on Elm Street. Facscinating, I know. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/6 "2005-12-02T20:19:26Z")
Indeed, **GIGObuster** , I’ve always considered 13 lucky because of the 13 original states thing. That strangely popular 7 on the other hand, just skeeves me out. Or, should I say, _Se7en_ … ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/7 "2005-12-02T20:28:30Z")
Since my wife got pregnant a couple months ago the hospital gave us a (projected) due date of June 6th. What luck! The kid may be born on 6-6-06. Too bad the wife won’t go for the name Damien. I’ll keep you updated if there’s and odd birthmarks. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/8 "2005-12-02T20:30:43Z")
I don’t suppose you live next door to an old couple, and that you’re an aspiring actor? Or that your wife is wearing an odd necklace with a funky-smelling root inside? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/9 "2005-12-02T20:31:50Z")
> [@Ice Wolf](#): > > In doing some research one time, I came across a local transaction where a piece of land was purchased for a church for £666. Made me blink a bit – but the church is still going. No lightning bolts, yet. Maybe they didn’t notice. That’s nothing! On my commute to work in Incheon, I pass a prominent sign: > **[길동교회](http://www.gdchurch.org)** > > 길동교회 홈페이지에 오신것을 환영합니다. It’s a for a church in Geom-Dan, Ma-Jeon, Seo-Gu, Incheon. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/10 "2005-12-02T20:52:24Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > That’s nothing! On my commute to work in Incheon, I pass a prominent sign: > > [www.gdchurch.org](http://www.gdchurch.org) > > It’s a for a church in Geom-Dan, Ma-Jeon, Seo-Gu, Incheon. 😕 I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/11 "2005-12-02T20:58:19Z")
I find it eerie that the board lists this thread as “…” on the forum page. Maybe it knows more that we do about the mystical power of 666? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/12 "2005-12-02T21:26:25Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I find it eerie that the board lists this thread as “…” on the forum page. Maybe it knows more that we do about the mystical power of 666? Or the mystical power that the word _Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians_ has to overrun a buffer… ---
**Author:** ![Atticus\_Finch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Atticus\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atticus_Finch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/13 "2005-12-02T21:33:55Z")
Interestingly, in Hong Kong, they often skip floors with unlucky numbers. 13 isn’t unlucky, but 14 and 24 are: > [@](#): > > It should be noted that, however, the 88 storeys do not comprise of an actual number of 88 storeys. Some of the “taboo floors” like 14 and 24, which sounds like Must die and Easy to die in Cantonese respectively, are omitted. ([link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_International_Finance_Centre)) ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/14 "2005-12-02T21:40:37Z")
I’ve been in condos in Toronto that have catered to Chinese immigrants. One building has no 4th, 13th, 14th, 24th and 34th floors. The highest floor is the 39th. It’s odd to see 12 and 15 right beside each other. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/15 "2005-12-02T21:43:17Z")
Superstitions? I still can’t get around the Astrology section in basically every US newspaper. I guess reading tea leaves or throwing bones wasn’t accurate enough. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/16 "2005-12-02T21:52:16Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > Along the same lines, we have no 13th Ave here in SF: 11th, 12th, Funston, 14th, 15th… :smack: > > We do have a 13th St, however. You also have the 49’ers. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/17 "2005-12-02T21:54:48Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > You also have the 49’ers. Uh oh…the mark of the **Yeti**! Or, that’s gonna leave a mark! ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/18 "2005-12-02T22:16:11Z")
Leave us not forget the old Proctor & Gamble icon, which they discontinued some years ago due to all the satanic rumors. I have to hand it to whoever got the hoax going that the stars formed a 666 pattern. He’s probably still laughing over it. So the reason why the Chinese fear 4 so much because it sounds like variations on the word “die”? You ever notice on the Astrology mats at Chinese restaurants, they tell you to stay away from the 2 critters that are 4 removed from you either way? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/19 "2005-12-02T22:58:55Z")
> [@Knowed Out](#): > > So the reason why the Chinese fear 4 so much because it sounds like variations on the word “die”? You ever notice on the Astrology mats at Chinese restaurants, they tell you to stay away from the 2 critters that are 4 removed from you either way? Really? As I recall it, those are supposed to be my most compatible mates, and I need to watch out for the one that’s **six** removed. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793/20 "2005-12-02T23:23:55Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > Along the same lines, we have no 13th Ave here in SF: 11th, 12th, Funston, 14th, 15th… :smack: > > We do have a 13th St, however. Considering what Funston did to SF, that street could still be considered unlucky: > [@National Park Service](#): > > The severity of the earthquake destroyed the center of the city, and over 300,000 people were left homeless. Funston immediately ordered the mobilization of troops surrounding military installations. He took command of local relief and law enforcement. Funston also directed the dynamiting of buildings to create firebreaks. Acting without state or national authority, Funston was later criticized for many of his actions: Colonel Morris, Post Commander of the Presidio, said of Funston’s actions, “He’d better look up his Army Regulations…nobody but the President of the United States in person can order regular troops into any city.” After what some consider a massive coverup and whitewashing he was later considered a hero, of course. [Link](http://www.nps.gov/prsf/history/bios/funston.htm) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexakosioihexekontahexaphobians-the-problem-is-you-not-the-666-in-the-damn-thing/333793.md?page=2)