A German neologism coined in English

Language Log 2025-11-26

Summary:

  English speakers have taken to the German term schadenfreude like fish in water, but it seems that they're embarrassed at using a word that signifies taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune.  Consequently, they invented the word freudenfreude, the positive feeling of joy or delight in another person's success or happiness.   Freudenfreude is apparently a recent […]

Link:

https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=72039&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-german-neologism-coined-in-english

From feeds:

Gudgeon and gist » Language Log

Tags:

day

Authors:

Victor Mair

Date tagged:

11/26/2025, 11:08

Date published:

11/26/2025, 09:37