Elternschmerz
The visceral pain felt by a child, even an adult child, when his or her parent says or does something that is extremely uncool, embarrassing, or otherwise objectionable.
The feeling is at times similar to embarrassment but also can imply regret or disagreement with the parent’s behavior.
From the Yiddish “eltern” meaning parents and the German “Schmerzen” meaning pain, literally “parent pain.”
The feeling is at times similar to embarrassment but also can imply regret or disagreement with the parent’s behavior.
From the Yiddish “eltern” meaning parents and the German “Schmerzen” meaning pain, literally “parent pain.”
Timothy felt a deep pang of elternschmerz when he learned that his mother was using the same password for all her online accounts.
Veronica was overcome by elternschmerz upon learning that her parents had called her college dean to request a new roommate for her.
Tarik’s elternschmerz was unbearable when his father requested steak in a vegan restaurant.
Veronica was overcome by elternschmerz upon learning that her parents had called her college dean to request a new roommate for her.
Tarik’s elternschmerz was unbearable when his father requested steak in a vegan restaurant.
Elternschmerz by Nominator March 1, 2021
