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Schadenfreude is a German expression (from Schaden: damage, harm; and Freude: joy) meaning pleasure taken from someone else's misfortune or shameful joy. The word is often capitalized, however since all German nouns (proper or common) are capitalized it should be possible to spell it lower case in English.
It is usually believed to not have a direct English equivalent. For example, Harper Collins German-English Dictionary translates schadenfreude as malicious glee or gloating. An apparent English equivalent, derived from Greek, is epicaricacy. This word does not appear in most modern dictionaries but does appear in Nathaniel Bailey's Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1727) under a slightly different spelling (epicharikaky) and gives its etymology as epi (upon) + chara (joy) + kakon (evil).
Taken in a broader sense, it could apply to the feeling of being blessed because there are always people who are worse off than ourselves. Instead of compassion or pity for those less fortunate, we are thankful that it is they instead of we. However, it is never used in that sense in German, where it always carries a negative connotation. German actually draws a distinction between "secret schadenfreude" (a private feeling) and "open schadenfreude" (Hohn) which is outright public derision.
Some German quotes on Schadenfreude
- Schadenfreude ist die schönste Freude (denn sie kommt von Herzen). Schadenfreude is the most beautiful kind of joy (since it comes directly from the heart). (proverb)
- Neid zu fühlen ist menschlich, Schadenfreude zu genießen teuflisch. It is human to feel envy, but it is diabolic to enjoy Schadenfreude. (Arthur Schopenhauer)
- Das Wort Schadenfreude kennt man nur im Deutschen. The word "Schadenfreude" is only known in German. (unknown author)
Popular culture
Even though the term was used in English long before, it gained increased popularity in the English-speaking world through a single dialogue in an episode of the Simpsons (episode 7F23 (http://www.snpp.com/episodes/7F23.html)) which also illustrates the meaning. Lisa and Homer are talking about their neigbour, Flanders. Although Homer apparently does not understand Lisa's explanation, his emotions towards Flanders are precisely what Schadenfreude is.
The dialogue goes as follows:
- Lisa: Dad, do you know what Schadenfreude is?
- Homer: (sarcastically) No, I do not know what Schadenfreude 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!
See also
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