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Schadenfreude

Today, in the U.S., we are celebrating Thanksgiving. What a wonderful day! So why the title? What does it even mean?

German is such an interesting language. And I sometimes really wonder if searching German text would be a tonne easier. The reason is simple. German has this interesting knack of combining words to make up new words. Something we (you and Inoun) have been talking about right here in this blog. These then just become a natural part of the language. German is also very explicit. No, not that kind of explicit. The very definite, clear, obvious and concise version. And German is just like that. You know exactly what someone means when they say anything. Which is why it is so hard, sometimes, for so many German's to understand British or American humor. I also think that language has a huge metric pound of influence on one's culture. But that is an entry for another day.

Yada, yada. Just get to the point Inoun. Schadenfreude is basically the joy one feels at someone elses misfortune. Schaden, or another form schade as in, "Wie Schade" basically means how sad or what a shame. Freude is happiness and joy. So why would you combine the two? An Inoun example!

Think about how you would feel if, "Dilbert's boss got hit by a steamroller?"

That is schadenfreude. Or when a politician that you really dislike loses an election. But I digress. What does this have to do with Thanksgiving? That word, thanks-giving is such an interesting word. And it is one of those words in English where we have combined two words to come up with one. It was probably some German that came up with it. Thanks as in thankyou (another set that is becoming one of these combined words. Often, years ago, it used to be hyphenated.) And giving, as in liberally providing service, help or something significantly needed in someone's life.

So this Thanksgiving, may I make a suggestion? May I suggest that we all focus less on schadenfreude and much, much, much more, especially on the giving. And then a fair amount, and significant sprinkling of thanks.