Word of the day - SCHADENFREUDE

The word today is Schadenfreude

This is a bit of a departure for us today as this is actually a German word, not from my native English.

Schadenfreude is a noun and means the following:

- A pleasure derived from the misfortune of others (1 or more).

- Satisfaction when something untoward happens to someone else.

Ooooh that's a pity!

This word came into (German) use in the 18th century.

It is not known how many languages it has been absorbed into.

The English word "gloat" or phrase "to gloat" comes closest.

I wonder if there are degrees of schadenfreude, or bounds beyond which its expression is deemed to be in bad taste or "verboten" (another German word adopted into English).

If you need more start here or here or here especially.

There is an index of words of the day.