# I can't touch the word "bee" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 24, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534 "2004-11-24T21:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/1 "2004-11-24T21:20:04Z")
I used to have a phobia of bees. I am (mostly) over it now. But still. I can _type_ the word “bee”. I can see it on the page without a problem. But I cannot physically touch the word on the page (or screen). Because that would be like TOUCHING A BEE. Which would be TOUCHING A BEE. AHHHHH. TOUCHING A BEE. I fear I may be alone in this. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/2 "2004-11-24T21:22:47Z")
You fear right. (probably) can you touch the letter b? go ahead-------\> **b** now for the next stage-------\> **bee** ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/3 "2004-11-24T21:28:45Z")
I tried it. B - no problem Bee - AAHHHHHH TOUCHING A BEE. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/4 "2004-11-24T21:30:33Z")
I hate bees with a passion, but I don’t have the problem with the word itself. If it was a picture of a bee, I might be hesitant. My personal brand of nuttiness is that I cannot touch the bottom of an iron. Even if it has not been plugged in for 20 years and there is NO CHANCE that it’s hot. One just doesn’t touch the hot part of an iron! EVER. Coo coo! ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/5 "2004-11-24T21:31:10Z")
Oh well, If it helps you feel any better - I can’t sleep in a strange bed or in the dark without constantly looking behind me to check a monster or ghost isn’t standing there. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/6 "2004-11-24T21:41:29Z")
Maybe Francesca needs more stages. Let’s try it this way – touch each word individually. b be beef beet bee beer Did it work?! ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/7 "2004-11-24T21:43:37Z")
AH! I’m touching a _beer_! ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/8 "2004-11-24T21:46:34Z")
I wish it did, but no. “be” - fine. I be. We all be. “beef” - fine. I’m touching a representation of a type of meat. “beer” - fine. I have no problem with a written representation of a fine alcoholic beverage. “bee” - TOUCHING A BEE. IT FEELS FUZZY. LIKES BEES. AHHHHHH. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/9 "2004-11-24T21:48:50Z")
try these… **beer** **bee r** ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/10 "2004-11-24T21:49:45Z")
Huh. This is harder than I thought. Maybe we’ll have to have you start with touching [this little guy](http://www.wtv-zone.com/misstaken4/critters/bee.gif) and going from there. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/11 "2004-11-24T21:51:19Z")
> [@Francesca](#): > > “bee” - TOUCHING A BEE. IT FEELS FUZZY. LIKES BEES. AHHHHHH. Awwww … Fuzzums! Cute cuddly fuzzy bees doesn’t do it for you? Darn. Hmmm … if you can touch the following, you’re halfway there: Eric ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/12 "2004-11-24T21:51:55Z")
I understand completely. I hate nothing more to be flipping through a magazine, only come to find out when I turn a page that I’m touching a picture of a _spider_. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/13 "2004-11-24T21:53:26Z")
> [@harmless](#): > > I understand completely. > I hate nothing more to be flipping through a magazine, only come to find out when I turn a page that I’m touching a picture of a _spider_. :eek: ! . ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/14 "2004-11-24T21:55:31Z")
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: I’m not allowed to say what must be said outside of the pit! :mad: Thank Og for the wheel mouse ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/15 "2004-11-24T21:58:51Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > try these… > > **beer** > > **bee r** I can do the first one. The first one is like “beer” but with a faded end. I can’t do the second one. Because I know you’re trying to make me touch bees! It’s “bee” with an R randomly added! It’s still bee! I tried to touch it for more than a second, but then I had to go and rid my finger of fuzziness by rubbing it on my sweater several times. I R mental of bees. ---
**Author:** ![professor\_folk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df788c/32.png) [@professor\_folk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/professor_folk)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/16 "2004-11-24T22:50:32Z")
**HORNET** can you touch that? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/17 "2004-11-24T23:13:27Z")
> [@Francesca](#): > > I used to have a phobia of bees. I am (mostly) over it now. But still. I can _type_ the word “bee”. I can see it on the page without a problem. But I cannot physically touch the word on the page (or screen). Because that would be like TOUCHING A BEE. Which would be TOUCHING A BEE. > > AHHHHH. TOUCHING A BEE. > > I fear I may be alone in this. You are honey bunches of nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/18 "2004-11-24T23:16:33Z")
> [@Francesca](#): > > I R mental of bees. I R loving this talky! ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/19 "2004-11-25T00:00:47Z")
> [@harmless](#): > > :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: > I’m not allowed to say what must be said outside of the pit! :mad: > Thank Og for the wheel mouse Is it the huge colored fonts? Or are you even more mental over bees than Fran? ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534/20 "2004-11-25T00:24:53Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > ! > > . Yet again firefox ruins all the fun. all it sees is a big exclamation mark. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-touch-the-word-bee/276534.md?page=2)