With all the creepy clowns sneaking around the U.S. as of late, a lot of people are scared. However, this type of prank isn’t new; it happened in the U.S. during the 1980s, and in England just a couple of years ago as well.

Due to all this “clowntroversy,” many have begun to question: why is a fear a clowns so prevalent nowadays?

Clown-like characters have been around since ancient Egypt, and have been officially called “Clowns” since the 1500’s (thanks to Shakespeare).

They were typically characters who focused on self deprecating humor, satire, and poking fun at powerful people. However the clown image of the painted face, bright costume, and big shoes only began to appear within the last 150 years.

But the “evil/creepy clown” cliche is quite a new one. Although some kids are afraid of clowns for other reasons, the actual stereotype started in the 1970s because of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

Gacy, who was convicted of torturing and killing young boys, worked as a clown called “Pogo.” After his rampage made the news, the scary clown craze began.

While that’s why the “killer clown” stereotype exists, some individuals are afraid of clowns just based on instinct. The BBC even found out that most children don’t even want clown pictures displayed in hospitals.

“Very few children like clowns. They are unfamiliar and come from a different era,” child psychologist Patricia Doorbar said. “They don’t look funny, they just look odd.”

Many people have a clown phobia due to a multitude of reasons. The most common is the way they look with the elongated features, pale skin, and large unnerving smile. This is not a way you typically expect a person to look, therefore it arouses suspicion.

And the ambiguity of it all is the big reason people are afraid of clowns; individuals just don’t know how to react. Should we just treat them normally, run away, or attack?

Evolution has made us curious. While we try to be aware of our surroundings, having someone be anonymous, right in your face, in your comfort zone, is extremely unnerving.

To find out how the nation responded to the clown epidemic, check out Cougar Claw Special Report: Clown Lives Matter

To read about the reality of the clown scare, check out Cougar Claw Special Report: The truth about clowns