Früheankunftfreude

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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 — in this world — to benefit from or enjoy.

Derives from Calvinist dogma.

Originally it encapsulated a penitent’s beatific sensation of being first into the cold bath[1], but in the modern vernacular it has stretched to the secular: the sensation of righteousness that comes from rising at dawn to secure a sun-lounger in a nasty condominium in the Algarve, and the sacrificial excitement of being first to dial into a conference call, and having to endure hold music as an entrée to the greater horror of participating in the call itself.

Contrast with späteankunftschande

See also

References

  1. Also “Kaltenudelnaufhaut,” the feeling of cold spaghetti on exposed skin.