LanguagePalaver: Schadenfreude

The palaver word of the day, and one of my favorite expressions in another language (German, in this case) with no good English equivalent, is "schadenfreude":

shäd'n-froi'də

n.  Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others

This is not the delight taken by freakish sadists when bad things happen to good people (cue devilish finger-drumming), but rather the natural and common, albeit not exactly laudable, satisfaction of seeing bad, self-righteous, or simply over-exposed people getting their comeuppance.

Here's an example, from the Simpsons episode in which Homer is gloating because Ned Flanders' Leftorium is going out of business:

Lisa:  Dad, do you know what Schadenfreude is?

Homer:  No, I do not know what shaden-frawde is.  Please tell me, because I'm dying to know.

Lisa:  It's a German term for `shameful joy,’ taking pleasure in the suffering of others.

Homer:  Oh, come on Lisa. I'm just glad to see him fall flat on his butt!  He's usually all happy and comfortable, and surrounded by loved ones, and it makes me feel... What's the opposite of that shameful joy thing of yours?

Lisa:  Sour grapes.

Homer: Boy, those Germans have a word for everything!

Comments

[Phil MctT]

Reminds of a Just Shoot Me bit. David Spade is talking with a buddy about his lust for the Tiffany Amber Theissen character.

"The other day, she sneezed, and I wanted to say that clever German word for 'bless you' but I couldn't remember it."

"Gesundheit?"

"Ah! If I had recall like yours, I'd be schtupping her right now!"

[sybil]

particularly apt post, MB!