schadenfreude

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Malicious enjoyment derived from observing someone else's misfortune.

   But it is Schadenfreude, a mischievous delight in the misfortunes of others, which remains the worst trait in human nature.

Simplified etymology

Schadenfreude entered English from German in the mid-19th century and combines Schaden, meaning “harm,” with Freude, meaning “joy.”

An unadapted borrowing from German Schadenfreude (“joy in the misfortune of others”), from Schaden (“damage, misfortune”) + Freude (“joy”). The word gained popularity in English in the late 20th c. and likely entered mainstream usage through an episode of The Simpsons (more in citations).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary