Cute teenagers, song and dance routines, even Britney Spears — this is “Glee’s” moment in the sun. We want to take this same moment to illuminate some of the unusual senses of “glee” (like what it has to do with schadenfreude.)
Let’s begin with “Glee Club.” These infamously chipper singing groups are called “glee” because the melding of voices makes everyone happy, right? Actually, joy has little to do with it.
Sure, one definition of glee is “open delight or pleasure.” The word is also used to refer to an unaccompanied part song for three or more voices, which are usually male and include a countertenor. This kind of song was popular in the 18th century. It was characterized by several short sections of contrasting character or mood. And the songs were often about eating and drinking. John Playford was the first composer to use the term.
Glees are often compared to madrigals (which strangely derives from a Latin word meaning “of the womb.”)
Glee comes from the Old English word gliu or gleo; an entertainer was a gleuman.
Glee Clubs, which got their start in England, traditionally sing short songs. Nowadays, most American glee clubs no longer perform glees.
The senses of “glee” don’t stop there. Our dictionary gnomes surprised us when we were told “glee” also means “to squint or look with one eye.”
Another unsavory sense of the word is “feeling pleasure caused by another person’s misfortune. Who knew that “glee” was a near-synonym for the amazing concept schadenfreude, “satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune.”
The “mad” in Mad Men is also not what you might expect. Read about that here.
just goes to show what a messed up language English is!
so might ‘glee’ have a similar root to ‘gloat’ – which also has implications of schadenfreude?
Chris
i remember when i was in high shool, i was a member of the glee club.
but now i don’t think i could still sing like what i used to do in high school.
I completely agree with you on this fact, because as it goes along with the sense of shining upon something as it comes about the word “glee”, somehow it intends to show that ‘gluts someone inside’ not obscurely just demonstrating how wonderful it can turn out to be over the cause being of such a “gleeman” belting out songs with short hooks whereas it’s going to merry everyone around or even yourself. As it’s been told about schadenfreude case, i don’t think it exactly gets to be something related to be happy about someone’s misfortune, otherwise it can take a long-term thinking over it because it’s in my opinion poppycock or sassy.
Hahaha…who knew glee could describe people’s lives in terms other than Tuesday night television and bursts of cheerfulness? Gotta love it.
Wow who would of thought that glee means “to squint or look with one eye” or “feeling pleasure caused by another person’s misfortune.” That is strangely odd to know, but i can see why they picked the name glee, some people don’t like watching glee and so therefore when people get hurt on the show it might cause them great pleasure to see the person in pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love Glee. It’s probably one of the best shows out there right now. It’s funny and explains hugh school so well. Last nights episode was pretty awesome too. I didnt know that the term “glee” had so many deffinitions. I also didnt kno the background. Thanks for sharing(: haha
glee is awesome!
Interesting. Thanks for the article 
[...] Schadenfreude on the School Bus — Schadenfreude in the halls – Larry David made it prime time with Seinfield — evolved INto Pedophilia GLEE from the nasty broad wit da Balls. — There always have been bullies since before the first yellow bus and records that were 78 RPM — Now Schadenfreude is taught on TV — though Slapstick silence was the first to show — the different ways of evolving — for the song or for the dance or the choice of Glee to be La Cucaracha – such a long long way we have to go. –>>Rupert L.T.Rhyme [...]
It’s a pleasure to read these wonderful explanations of words with their unusual meanings that go beyond the ordinary sense we know. We’d like to express our tnanks to your staffs that have worked untiringly to satisfy the thirst for knowledge of our readers. Thank you!
First! Also, a very interesting article. I had no idea “glee” meant “to squint”.
So Hot Words has “dictionary gnomes” to do their research?
Does Dictionary.com outsource its bloggers?
Glee is a four letter word, that in itself means that it is an “old” word, therefore, highly evolved. The “nasty” four letter words are “nasty” for the same reason, the are old. They were supplanted by their Latin counterparts and educated people used the Latin replacement and the “lower” class, continued with the old word.
To my comment that I already posted I would like to say I am a HUGE glee fan and while others do not like the show I on the other hand love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ILOVEGLEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! IDIDNT KNOW THERE THERE WERE THAT MANY DEFINTIONS
Hm, way back in the Waybackwhen days, jesters where the source of song n’ dance in a “ha! look at that buffon!” kind of way.
Coincidence!? almost definitly.
IT IS SO COOL I LOVE GLEE 2
glee is a fantastic show!!! we love it we’re so proud of charice for being part of it!!keep it up charice!
I’VE NEVER SEEN THIS SHOW HEARD IT WAS GOOD THOUGH!!!
oh, i see. the TV show Glee has nothing to do with squinting and schandenfreude. :p
on Glee: Charice is really good. no wonder she became part of the show.
i’m so proud of her. mabuhay! :p