Fallibility glee (n.)
The feeling one gets when a person or agency
normally known for their complete trustworthiness, reliability and competence
completely fouls up, preferably in a very public or embarrassing
way.
This term is closely related to the German
Schadenfreude,
except that where
Schadenfreude
represents simple amusement at somebody else's misfortune, fallability glee
covers both this and subsequent feelings of delight at the consequent loss of
reputation, status, and the generally smug air of superiority that was possessed
by the party in question before their unfortunate fall from
grace.
Fallibility glee is of course derived from the fact that nobody likes a smart-arse, and the way that seeing somebody else really mess up also tends to make us feel a whole lot better about ourselves, allowing us to rest comfortably in the knowledge that despite appearances, nobody else is perfect either.
Fallibility glee is of course derived from the fact that nobody likes a smart-arse, and the way that seeing somebody else really mess up also tends to make us feel a whole lot better about ourselves, allowing us to rest comfortably in the knowledge that despite appearances, nobody else is perfect either.
Posted on Wednesday - May 04, 2005 at 01:31 PM
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Published On: Sep 07, 2007 08:02 AM
