German, where have you been all my life?

I love language. I find it fascinating certain ideas are more easily expressed in one language than another. For example, there is no complete, direct English translation for the French phrase “l’esprit de l’escalier.” The phrase defines the act of thinking of a clever comeback when it’s too late to say it. You may be elsewhere, or maybe it’s just that too much time has passed. Whatever the reason, the phrase encompasses the regret one feels that this response was not thought of when it could have been employed.

German is another language that has given English these types of words: schadenfreude, zeitgeist, and my new favorite word ever, fremdschämen. This word means to be vicariously embarrassed for somebody else. I feel this all the time. It’s part of the reason that I gave up Ugly Betty in early season 3, and can’t watch sitcoms at all. I feel embarrassed for the characters on the show, and often the actors who portray them (I feel that 200 grand an episode is the least the producers can give them for having to play such stupid characters).

Oddly enough, I have a reality tv star to thank for bringing this word to my attention. Reality shows are another type of program that I usually avoid, unless they’re on HGTV or involve Tim Gunn. That means that I’ve never watched a single second of Keeping up with the Kardashians, although I’d have to be living under a rock not to know anything about these people. A Jezebel post entitled “Germans Outraged by Sexy Oktoberfest Outfits” featured a picture of Kim Kardashian in a sexy (but, dare I say it, not completely unadorable) dirndl.

Although it wasn’t linked to, the quotes used in that post came from this Wall Street Journal article. It quotes Ursula Fröhmer, a Munich tailor tailor who specializes in traditional folk costumes, who really doesn’t care for the modern spin that people are putting on tracht, traditional Bavarian clothing. She describes her reaction to these clothes in this manner:

“I’m overcome with fremdschämen, and I’m ashamed that I’m from Bavaria when I see things like that,” Ms. Fröhmer says.

Way harsh, Tai! Since I don’t have any historical connection to dirndls, I just appreciate when I see a cute one, nevermind that it may not be in keeping with tradition. I’m sad for Ms. Fröhmer that she has to watch her cultural costume become commercialized, but I’m happy that this occasion gave me a word for what I’ve been feeling pretty much all my life.