Glossophobia, the  abnormal fear of public speaking or trying to speak, comes from the Greek words: γλῶσσα ~ glōssa, meaning tongue φόβος ~ phobos, fear or dread Speech anxiety is a real apprehension for many people. People are known to fear giving a speech before any group, even if it’s only two or three people “more than they fear snakes, spiders, heights, disease, and death.” (University of Central...