Merriam-Webster Reports 30,500% Spike in Searches for Schadenfreude (opens in new tab)

(merriam-webster.com)

8 pointstertiary5y ago5 comments

5 comments

I speak German, and I really enjoy using words like this, but they don't seem that special. I don't quite understand the (mostly American) obsession with them. If any language did away with their conventions and allowed compound words, they could build similar ones.

For example, in English we could use the following as replacements for "schadenfreude":

- Demisejoy

- Damageglee

- Paindelight

- Hurtmirth

kencausey5y ago

Communication requires some level of common understanding. Schadenfreude has enough use within English that many listeners recognize the word even if they are unsure of its correct meaning. I've never heard of any of your alternatives.

sebmellen5y ago

Oh, for sure. I'm just trying to make the point that English would be a lot cooler if we constructed our own compound words.

1 more reply

ncmncm5y ago

But I like them.

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