Pam Moody, World Clown Association president, told Hollywood Reporter that the chronic fear of clowns is unfair, at least in comparison to fellow costumed performers who dress as Father Christmas or the Easter Bunny.

"They're different from regular people — they're costumed characters," she insisted. "But no one is picking on the Santa Clauses, because that would ruin the retail business. It would ruin Christmas for everybody.

"It all started with the original It. That introduced the concept of this character. It's a science-fiction character. It's not a clown and has nothing to do with pro clowning."