That's because you mistake which definition is appropriate......


awe·some
[aw-suhm] Show IPA

adjective
1.
inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear; causing or inducing awe: an awesome sight.

2.
showing or characterized by reverence, admiration, or fear; exhibiting or marked by awe.

3.
Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome

and now "fear"



fear
[feer] Show IPA

noun
1.
a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Synonyms: foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm. Antonyms: courage, security, calm, intrepidity.

2.
a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal fear of heights. Synonyms: phobia, aversion; bête noire, bogy, bogey, bugbear. Antonyms: liking, fondness, penchant, predilection.

3.
concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone's safety.

4.
reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God. Synonyms: awe, respect, reverence, veneration.

5.
something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; something a person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.


I personally picture "awesome" as "jaw-dropping"......which is what my initial reaction to that tatoo was.