Früheankunftfreude

A German word without a literal equivalent in English, referring to the pleasure, triumph and sense of spiritual cleansing associated with being first person to participate in an activity one does not expect to benefit from or enjoy.

Derives from Calvinist dogma.

Originally it referred to a penitent’s beatific sensation of being first into the cold bath (also “Kaltenudelnaufhaut,” the feeling of cold spaghetti on exposed flesh), but in modern vernacular its use stretches to secular pursuits: the sensation of righteousness that comes from rising at dawn to secure a sun-lounger in a nasty condominium in the Algarve and therefore beating the Brits to it, and the sacrificial excitement of being first to dial into a conference call, and having to endure hold music before even the horror of participating in the actual call.

Contrast with späteankunftschande

See also

• Späteankunftschande
• Conference call