Clownophobia

A facile, pop-psych explanation would unearth the roots of clownophobia in childhood traumas.

While most of us see Ronald McDonald as a nice corporate symbol, the 8% of the population that suffers from clownophobia (more properly called coulrophobia) view him as evil incarnate.

Seriously, my girlfriend said the exact same thing when I told her she was far from alone in her clownophobia.