Schadenfreude - an update

Posted by James Briggs on April 01, 2003

Some suggestions were published in today's Times.

Further to your previous answer (Q&A, March 28), while working in Germany I was asked by a German colleague how "Schadenfreude" translates into English. Knowing of no single-word translation, I looked it up and found it translated as "malicious glee".
What is odd is that I found this information not in a dictionary, but in a publication entitled Helpful Hints and Friendly Advice for the Traveller.
Paul Arden-Griffith, London SE18

What about the Beowulfian "mischanceglee"or the more Orwellian "woedelight"?
John Mumford, Glasgow

Flopjoy? Fallglee? Tripgiggle? Failfun? Crashlaugh? There are lots.
James McGrory, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

What about "malisfaction"?
M. F. Wilson, Doncaster

"Servesuright".
John O?Byrne, Dublin

• Re: Schadenfreude - an update R. Berg 04/01/03
  • Re: Schadenfreude - an update Bob 04/02/03
    • Re: Schadenfreude - an update Anders 04/02/03
      • Re: Malisfaction R. Berg 04/02/03