It&#x27;s probably because in algol derived languages -- when you encounter parentheses, something weird is happening -- something you&#x27;ve got to put extra thought into.<p>Maybe the ordering of something is being forced. Maybe something else is going on, but whatever it is requires more thought than things that are parentheses free.<p>So you look at Lisp and your brain locks up the brakes, with &quot;WTF is going on here???  I&#x27;m out&quot;.