Schadenfreude

I don't think Schadenfreude is usually used to mean a general glee in the discomfort of others, but more a 'serves him right' feeling as said above, and specifically to someone who has wronged us personally. So it's the sense of satisfaction when you hear about an unfaithful ex's divorce from the 'other woman', or seeing the car that cut you up five miles ago stuck in a slow moving lane - that sort of thing.

In the case of LF, it's seeing an arrogant, entitled man see that he is not immune from Covid just because he thinks he is.

But he's recovered I believe, so will now be gloating that his immune system saved him, not the vaccine. Although it was probably the ivermectin that lessened his symptoms. But you have to wonder at someone who is prepared to put ivermectin into their body but not the vaccine. And you wonder whether he has taken any street drugs or indeed prescribed drugs in his life? The outcome of taking anything is unknown.

silverlining48

Wie Schade means what a shame, what a pity. Freude means happiness/joy. So maybe joy in someone’s sorrow; thought but not spoken.

"Wie schade" does indeed "What a pity", but "Schade" used as a single component of "Schadenfreude" means something else.

The word for "shame" is "Schande", which has a different etymological route.

In the case of Laurence Fox, a feeling of "Schadenfreude" would be appropriate because he has been so arrogant in promoting his anti-vacc views, which have been responsible for his illness.

Wie Schade means what a shame, what a pity. Freude means happiness/joy. So maybe joy in someone’s sorrow; thought but not spoken.

So, Nadal must have felt Schadenfreude when Djokovic was sent home?

So when Germans say, "wie Schade" does that not mean what a shame? Both truthfully and sarcastically?

Forget that last, growstuff, I've checked with the dictionary, schade.

growstuff

Josieann

I'm sure someone German can help JackyB?? here, but if you break Schade and Freude you do get shame and joy, a bit like an oxymoron. The shame bit means almost damage and suffering and you get it a lot in German literature, all very dark.
But I agree with Peasblossom that in this context it means that something comes back to bite you on the bum!

It's actually Schaden + Freude. Schaden means damage or harm, not shame. The German for shame is Schande, which has a different etymology.

Got it!
So in other words we enjoy the damage our fellow human being is suffering like I said above, (more than our own pleasure). I've added this last observation here because often people would rather see an opponent fall flat on her face, than actually succeed themselves, say in business or sport. So if in Bake Off a competitor's cake falls on the floor another contestant might feel joy! [grin}

So when Germans say, "wie Schade" does that not mean what a shame? Both truthfully and sarcastically?
What a shame LF is ill, NOT.

Wiki has a description of the driving forces behind Schadenfreude, one of which is justice-based schadenfreude, which comes from seeing that behaviour seen as immoral or "bad" is punished. It is the pleasure associated with seeing a "bad" person being harmed or receiving retribution. Schadenfreude is experienced here because it makes people feel that fairness has been restored for a previously un-punished wrong.

This definition fits well with people who see Fox as immoral and "bad", especially his pronouncements related to vaccinations.

Thanks growstuff
Interesting. Adds more depth to the meaning

Josieann

I'm sure someone German can help JackyB?? here, but if you break Schade and Freude you do get shame and joy, a bit like an oxymoron. The shame bit means almost damage and suffering and you get it a lot in German literature, all very dark.
But I agree with Peasblossom that in this context it means that something comes back to bite you on the bum!

It's actually Schaden + Freude. Schaden means damage or harm, not shame. The German for shame is Schande, which has a different etymology.

FarNorth I’m afraid so
Callistemon sorreee (hangs head in shame)

In my defence, (I feel that I’ve got my work cut out here) he has that ‘reminds me of an ex’ thing going on; ex being a thoroughly nice chap.

FannyCornforth

I always thought that it meant ‘shameful joy’.
Forgive me for being extremely shallow, but I’ve always found Fox very attractive

Wash your mouth out with soap, FannyCornforth

I see he's smoking in your picture FarNorth
I heard a theory that smokers don't catch Covid but looks like it's disproved now!

strange he wouldnt have the vaccine but takes something first mentioned in 2021
Pharmaceutical Technology April 19, 2021
The common antiparasitic ivermectin is being touted as a miracle cure for Covid-19 by doctors and campaigners the world over. Demand for approval of the drug is growing globally – with some countries recommending ivermectin as a treatment for coronavirus patients – despite leading health authorities consistently warning against its use.

Attractive? Seriously?

Serves him right! What kind of blithering idiot is wary of the vaccine - yet takes Ivermectin (animal wormer) as 'treatment'? No logic there - maybe a bear of little brain?

Some people just have to be different - and special - don't they?

After the things Lawrence Fox has said I can't help it ! Schadenfreude it is. Shameful it may be, but justified it certainly is, "Hoist with his own petard" you might say.

I thought about “gloating” but is that more when something nice happens to you and not the other person and you’re glad because you think in some way they don’t deserve to have the nice thing.
?

Like gloating?

Zoejory

Do you know anything about this man, Elaine1?

The awful things he's said in the past?

He has the horrible attitude. He refers to those of us who have had the vaccine as brave little guinea pigs.

Surprised you didn't know what schadenfreude means.

Why would I know something I've never heard before? Not sure that comment was justified.
I know very little about the man Laurence Fox. First time I read the name was in the newspaper headlines. I don't know what he has said in the past but still wouldn't wish Covid on anyone.
The word itself, according to various definitions I read - the one I used was from Oxford English Dictionary, relates to the person who uses it. Perhaps he is guilty of doing that too. Nevertheless it is not something I would personally say about anyone as it reflects badly on the person saying it.

A colleague whose husband left her for a younger woman
said it was Schadenfreude when ex-husband got prostrate cancer. She said the thing in his trousers caused the end of their marriage.
Was she justified? Morally not.

I can't stand any of the Fox family ! They're all affected.

I’ve met them. The sort of person who just can’t wait to come round under the cloak of sympathy and feed off you misfortune ☹️

Crowing over someone’s suffering is cruel !

This ought to be pendsnts corner really?

What I meant was I’ve always understood Schadenfreude to refer primarily to the person who is feeling it not the person who has the misfortune. It’s the state of mind of the person who takes pleasure in other peoples misfortunes regardless of who they are.

But what Zoejory posted is more a Nah, nah, sucks to you about one person.

I’m sure she doesn’t habitually take pleasure in others troubles.

.......schadenfreude

pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune.
"a business that thrives on schadenfreude"