Früheankunftfreude

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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 the penant’s beatific sensation of being first into the cold bath, but in modern vernacular its use stretches to secular pursuits: the joy of rising at dawn to secure a sun-lounger in a nasty condominium in the Algarve, therefore beating the Brits to it, and the sacrificial excitement of being first to dial into a conference call, and having to endure piped music.

Contrast with späteankunftschande

See also