I just saw an episode of Boston Public and this word was used in the one of closing speeches in court. It is a German word which supposedly means a person feeling joy over somebodies misfortunes.
2007-08-22 07:24:25 · 3 answers · asked by seth 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Schadenfreude
It has been borrowed into English, actually exists in the English dictionary! (though it's not well-known)
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/schadenfreude
Could it be that only the Germans could invent a word like that? (just kidding!)
literally: schade - unfortunate, pity
freude - joy
2007-08-22 07:37:04 · answer #1 · answered by Bigmouth Strikes Again 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that's Schadenfreude.
That happens to be the nickname of a crossword
compiler who sets next to impossible puzzles
in a magazine I subscribe to!
This word also exists in English. It is in the
Chambers dictionary.
2007-08-22 14:45:44 · answer #2 · answered by steiner1745 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The word you're looking for is "Schadenfreude".
Rumor has it that it really only exists in the German language.
Not sure what that tells....
LOL
2007-08-22 15:37:52 · answer #3 · answered by Masterswot 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋