One word to describe this type of embarrassment












4















I have searched for a single word in English that expresses this condition: If I watch something on television ( most notably "slap-stick humor" ), I find my face flushed, hot and prickly; there is an extreme embarrassment and involuntary turning of my head away; my mind registers the input as being incredibly stupid and revolting; my stomach turns with a sickening pain; the feeling is extreme enough to be considered physical pain, as well as psychological. Imagine sitting in a chair watching an old Jerry Lewis comedy on TV, and the silly tone of his speech, as well as his body antics, make me cringe with the above condition. Any words to describe this?










share|improve this question


















  • 7





    Revulsion. Though I personally have never found slapstick revolting. Boring, sometimes ...

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:08











  • I used slapstick as the most relevant example, but it also applies to various social situations,i.e. when you anonymously witness someone trying to impress another person with what they think is clever wit and encyclopedic knowledge...or when you make a statement, and someone answers with one sexual innuendo after another, regardless of your response.

    – Marc Buss
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:34











  • Take 2 aspirin and call us in the morning.

    – Drew
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:01






  • 2





    It sounds like you're mortified by these displays...

    – anongoodnurse
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:34













  • Yeah, not really a good word for it. Revulsion was the first that came to mind, but is better reserved for truly offensive material. Mortified, to me, still carries a hint of death, and is better reserved for public humiliation. Repulsed avoids those connotations but is a bit lame. (But I well know the feeling, in roughly the same scenarios.)

    – Hot Licks
    Oct 3 '14 at 21:11
















4















I have searched for a single word in English that expresses this condition: If I watch something on television ( most notably "slap-stick humor" ), I find my face flushed, hot and prickly; there is an extreme embarrassment and involuntary turning of my head away; my mind registers the input as being incredibly stupid and revolting; my stomach turns with a sickening pain; the feeling is extreme enough to be considered physical pain, as well as psychological. Imagine sitting in a chair watching an old Jerry Lewis comedy on TV, and the silly tone of his speech, as well as his body antics, make me cringe with the above condition. Any words to describe this?










share|improve this question


















  • 7





    Revulsion. Though I personally have never found slapstick revolting. Boring, sometimes ...

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:08











  • I used slapstick as the most relevant example, but it also applies to various social situations,i.e. when you anonymously witness someone trying to impress another person with what they think is clever wit and encyclopedic knowledge...or when you make a statement, and someone answers with one sexual innuendo after another, regardless of your response.

    – Marc Buss
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:34











  • Take 2 aspirin and call us in the morning.

    – Drew
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:01






  • 2





    It sounds like you're mortified by these displays...

    – anongoodnurse
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:34













  • Yeah, not really a good word for it. Revulsion was the first that came to mind, but is better reserved for truly offensive material. Mortified, to me, still carries a hint of death, and is better reserved for public humiliation. Repulsed avoids those connotations but is a bit lame. (But I well know the feeling, in roughly the same scenarios.)

    – Hot Licks
    Oct 3 '14 at 21:11














4












4








4








I have searched for a single word in English that expresses this condition: If I watch something on television ( most notably "slap-stick humor" ), I find my face flushed, hot and prickly; there is an extreme embarrassment and involuntary turning of my head away; my mind registers the input as being incredibly stupid and revolting; my stomach turns with a sickening pain; the feeling is extreme enough to be considered physical pain, as well as psychological. Imagine sitting in a chair watching an old Jerry Lewis comedy on TV, and the silly tone of his speech, as well as his body antics, make me cringe with the above condition. Any words to describe this?










share|improve this question














I have searched for a single word in English that expresses this condition: If I watch something on television ( most notably "slap-stick humor" ), I find my face flushed, hot and prickly; there is an extreme embarrassment and involuntary turning of my head away; my mind registers the input as being incredibly stupid and revolting; my stomach turns with a sickening pain; the feeling is extreme enough to be considered physical pain, as well as psychological. Imagine sitting in a chair watching an old Jerry Lewis comedy on TV, and the silly tone of his speech, as well as his body antics, make me cringe with the above condition. Any words to describe this?







single-word-requests






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Oct 3 '14 at 13:02









Marc BussMarc Buss

2112




2112








  • 7





    Revulsion. Though I personally have never found slapstick revolting. Boring, sometimes ...

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:08











  • I used slapstick as the most relevant example, but it also applies to various social situations,i.e. when you anonymously witness someone trying to impress another person with what they think is clever wit and encyclopedic knowledge...or when you make a statement, and someone answers with one sexual innuendo after another, regardless of your response.

    – Marc Buss
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:34











  • Take 2 aspirin and call us in the morning.

    – Drew
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:01






  • 2





    It sounds like you're mortified by these displays...

    – anongoodnurse
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:34













  • Yeah, not really a good word for it. Revulsion was the first that came to mind, but is better reserved for truly offensive material. Mortified, to me, still carries a hint of death, and is better reserved for public humiliation. Repulsed avoids those connotations but is a bit lame. (But I well know the feeling, in roughly the same scenarios.)

    – Hot Licks
    Oct 3 '14 at 21:11














  • 7





    Revulsion. Though I personally have never found slapstick revolting. Boring, sometimes ...

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:08











  • I used slapstick as the most relevant example, but it also applies to various social situations,i.e. when you anonymously witness someone trying to impress another person with what they think is clever wit and encyclopedic knowledge...or when you make a statement, and someone answers with one sexual innuendo after another, regardless of your response.

    – Marc Buss
    Oct 3 '14 at 13:34











  • Take 2 aspirin and call us in the morning.

    – Drew
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:01






  • 2





    It sounds like you're mortified by these displays...

    – anongoodnurse
    Oct 3 '14 at 16:34













  • Yeah, not really a good word for it. Revulsion was the first that came to mind, but is better reserved for truly offensive material. Mortified, to me, still carries a hint of death, and is better reserved for public humiliation. Repulsed avoids those connotations but is a bit lame. (But I well know the feeling, in roughly the same scenarios.)

    – Hot Licks
    Oct 3 '14 at 21:11








7




7





Revulsion. Though I personally have never found slapstick revolting. Boring, sometimes ...

– Edwin Ashworth
Oct 3 '14 at 13:08





Revulsion. Though I personally have never found slapstick revolting. Boring, sometimes ...

– Edwin Ashworth
Oct 3 '14 at 13:08













I used slapstick as the most relevant example, but it also applies to various social situations,i.e. when you anonymously witness someone trying to impress another person with what they think is clever wit and encyclopedic knowledge...or when you make a statement, and someone answers with one sexual innuendo after another, regardless of your response.

– Marc Buss
Oct 3 '14 at 13:34





I used slapstick as the most relevant example, but it also applies to various social situations,i.e. when you anonymously witness someone trying to impress another person with what they think is clever wit and encyclopedic knowledge...or when you make a statement, and someone answers with one sexual innuendo after another, regardless of your response.

– Marc Buss
Oct 3 '14 at 13:34













Take 2 aspirin and call us in the morning.

– Drew
Oct 3 '14 at 16:01





Take 2 aspirin and call us in the morning.

– Drew
Oct 3 '14 at 16:01




2




2





It sounds like you're mortified by these displays...

– anongoodnurse
Oct 3 '14 at 16:34







It sounds like you're mortified by these displays...

– anongoodnurse
Oct 3 '14 at 16:34















Yeah, not really a good word for it. Revulsion was the first that came to mind, but is better reserved for truly offensive material. Mortified, to me, still carries a hint of death, and is better reserved for public humiliation. Repulsed avoids those connotations but is a bit lame. (But I well know the feeling, in roughly the same scenarios.)

– Hot Licks
Oct 3 '14 at 21:11





Yeah, not really a good word for it. Revulsion was the first that came to mind, but is better reserved for truly offensive material. Mortified, to me, still carries a hint of death, and is better reserved for public humiliation. Repulsed avoids those connotations but is a bit lame. (But I well know the feeling, in roughly the same scenarios.)

– Hot Licks
Oct 3 '14 at 21:11










7 Answers
7






active

oldest

votes


















5














What you are describing sounds like vicarious embarrassment. Apparently, like Schadenfreude (German, meaning satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune), it has no English equivalent.



Here is a summary article, 14 More Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent from the site Mental Floss, that give a couple of words that can be borrowed (just like schadenfreude):



German: Fremdschämen



Finnish: Myötähäpeä



both described this way:




The kindler, gentler cousins of Schadenfreude, both these words mean something akin to "vicarious embarrassment.” Or, in other words, that-feeling-you-get-when-you-watch-Meet the Parents.







share|improve this answer































    4














    Mortified




    to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment




    Ref: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortify






    share|improve this answer































      2














      I would say, "I am repulsed by what I just witnessed."



      The Macmillan Dictionary has two definitions for repulsion, both of which could be how your examples make you feel:




      1) a strong feeling of disliking someone or something that is so unpleasant that you feel slightly sick when you see them or think about them



      2) physics an electrical or magnetic force that makes things move away from each other







      share|improve this answer
























      • I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

        – Marc Buss
        Oct 3 '14 at 14:13











      • @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

        – Kristina Lopez
        Oct 3 '14 at 14:18











      • Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

        – Kibitzologist
        Oct 3 '14 at 19:39



















      2














      The word cringe might be useful here. It is to have a physical reaction to something that triggers your senses in a disruptive way. It doesn't necessarily mean you are revolted by it or think it intrinsically malicious or morally bad. But unlike just saying you are "embarrassed" it points the source of the reaction as coming from something outside yourself.



      You could also describe the material itself as being cringeworthy (oxforddictionaries.com lists it as a single-word.)






      share|improve this answer



















      • 2





        i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

        – ell
        Oct 3 '14 at 22:24













      • @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

        – HostileFork
        Oct 4 '14 at 4:38



















      1














      I would call it Suffering.



      Suffering broadly may be categorized as physical or psychological, aka mental. It may come in all degrees of intensity, from mild to intolerable. Low-magnitude suffering may be called discomfort, whereas high-magnitude suffering is called agony.






      share|improve this answer
























      • Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

        – Marc Buss
        Oct 3 '14 at 13:37



















      1














      Dismay maybe?--it CAN be gut-sinking. Or if you want an intellectualized neologism I'm firing up quasisapientphobia for you!... =]



      Alienation might work too...






      share|improve this answer



















      • 1





        Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

        – Marc Buss
        Oct 3 '14 at 14:04











      • I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

        – Kristina Lopez
        Oct 3 '14 at 21:37



















      -2














      -TRIGGERED-
      From a future stance to your question, it's sounds like you were "triggered." Maybe certain events that you witness would be, to you, considered socially unacceptable, and can cause you stress
      Emotional stress can cause physical pain. And, hypothetically, bottling up your unhappiness could be enough to cause this stress when you hear people joking about something or having a good time
      As far as the mannerisms doing this, that's some DEEP psychological attachments. Subconsciously you could have certain actions linked to certain emotions, linked to physical responses.
      I wouldn't say suffering or revolted because they seem too broad to define what your after. Especially with the amount of detail you give. "Cringe" was probably closest to the action, but I would say you were triggered or repulsed Another word to look at is Psychalgia.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 1





        Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

        – Chappo
        Jan 12 at 10:22











      Your Answer








      StackExchange.ready(function() {
      var channelOptions = {
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "97"
      };
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
      createEditor();
      });
      }
      else {
      createEditor();
      }
      });

      function createEditor() {
      StackExchange.prepareEditor({
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
      convertImagesToLinks: false,
      noModals: true,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: null,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      imageUploader: {
      brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
      contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
      allowUrls: true
      },
      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      });


      }
      });














      draft saved

      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function () {
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f199565%2fone-word-to-describe-this-type-of-embarrassment%23new-answer', 'question_page');
      }
      );

      Post as a guest















      Required, but never shown

























      7 Answers
      7






      active

      oldest

      votes








      7 Answers
      7






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      5














      What you are describing sounds like vicarious embarrassment. Apparently, like Schadenfreude (German, meaning satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune), it has no English equivalent.



      Here is a summary article, 14 More Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent from the site Mental Floss, that give a couple of words that can be borrowed (just like schadenfreude):



      German: Fremdschämen



      Finnish: Myötähäpeä



      both described this way:




      The kindler, gentler cousins of Schadenfreude, both these words mean something akin to "vicarious embarrassment.” Or, in other words, that-feeling-you-get-when-you-watch-Meet the Parents.







      share|improve this answer




























        5














        What you are describing sounds like vicarious embarrassment. Apparently, like Schadenfreude (German, meaning satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune), it has no English equivalent.



        Here is a summary article, 14 More Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent from the site Mental Floss, that give a couple of words that can be borrowed (just like schadenfreude):



        German: Fremdschämen



        Finnish: Myötähäpeä



        both described this way:




        The kindler, gentler cousins of Schadenfreude, both these words mean something akin to "vicarious embarrassment.” Or, in other words, that-feeling-you-get-when-you-watch-Meet the Parents.







        share|improve this answer


























          5












          5








          5







          What you are describing sounds like vicarious embarrassment. Apparently, like Schadenfreude (German, meaning satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune), it has no English equivalent.



          Here is a summary article, 14 More Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent from the site Mental Floss, that give a couple of words that can be borrowed (just like schadenfreude):



          German: Fremdschämen



          Finnish: Myötähäpeä



          both described this way:




          The kindler, gentler cousins of Schadenfreude, both these words mean something akin to "vicarious embarrassment.” Or, in other words, that-feeling-you-get-when-you-watch-Meet the Parents.







          share|improve this answer













          What you are describing sounds like vicarious embarrassment. Apparently, like Schadenfreude (German, meaning satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune), it has no English equivalent.



          Here is a summary article, 14 More Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent from the site Mental Floss, that give a couple of words that can be borrowed (just like schadenfreude):



          German: Fremdschämen



          Finnish: Myötähäpeä



          both described this way:




          The kindler, gentler cousins of Schadenfreude, both these words mean something akin to "vicarious embarrassment.” Or, in other words, that-feeling-you-get-when-you-watch-Meet the Parents.








          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Oct 3 '14 at 15:36









          Canis LupusCanis Lupus

          20.9k13372




          20.9k13372

























              4














              Mortified




              to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment




              Ref: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortify






              share|improve this answer




























                4














                Mortified




                to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment




                Ref: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortify






                share|improve this answer


























                  4












                  4








                  4







                  Mortified




                  to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment




                  Ref: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortify






                  share|improve this answer













                  Mortified




                  to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment




                  Ref: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortify







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Oct 3 '14 at 16:52









                  myolmyol

                  1,09711123




                  1,09711123























                      2














                      I would say, "I am repulsed by what I just witnessed."



                      The Macmillan Dictionary has two definitions for repulsion, both of which could be how your examples make you feel:




                      1) a strong feeling of disliking someone or something that is so unpleasant that you feel slightly sick when you see them or think about them



                      2) physics an electrical or magnetic force that makes things move away from each other







                      share|improve this answer
























                      • I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:13











                      • @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:18











                      • Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

                        – Kibitzologist
                        Oct 3 '14 at 19:39
















                      2














                      I would say, "I am repulsed by what I just witnessed."



                      The Macmillan Dictionary has two definitions for repulsion, both of which could be how your examples make you feel:




                      1) a strong feeling of disliking someone or something that is so unpleasant that you feel slightly sick when you see them or think about them



                      2) physics an electrical or magnetic force that makes things move away from each other







                      share|improve this answer
























                      • I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:13











                      • @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:18











                      • Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

                        – Kibitzologist
                        Oct 3 '14 at 19:39














                      2












                      2








                      2







                      I would say, "I am repulsed by what I just witnessed."



                      The Macmillan Dictionary has two definitions for repulsion, both of which could be how your examples make you feel:




                      1) a strong feeling of disliking someone or something that is so unpleasant that you feel slightly sick when you see them or think about them



                      2) physics an electrical or magnetic force that makes things move away from each other







                      share|improve this answer













                      I would say, "I am repulsed by what I just witnessed."



                      The Macmillan Dictionary has two definitions for repulsion, both of which could be how your examples make you feel:




                      1) a strong feeling of disliking someone or something that is so unpleasant that you feel slightly sick when you see them or think about them



                      2) physics an electrical or magnetic force that makes things move away from each other








                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Oct 3 '14 at 13:45









                      Kristina LopezKristina Lopez

                      25.7k648104




                      25.7k648104













                      • I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:13











                      • @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:18











                      • Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

                        – Kibitzologist
                        Oct 3 '14 at 19:39



















                      • I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:13











                      • @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:18











                      • Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

                        – Kibitzologist
                        Oct 3 '14 at 19:39

















                      I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

                      – Marc Buss
                      Oct 3 '14 at 14:13





                      I would say the first definition of repulsed is the closest way to describe the feeling; a shame that a culture like mine (North American), which is always inventing new words, does not seem concerned with creating new verbs to describe being.

                      – Marc Buss
                      Oct 3 '14 at 14:13













                      @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

                      – Kristina Lopez
                      Oct 3 '14 at 14:18





                      @MarcBuss, I agree with you on the 1st definition but found that the 2nd definition is growing on me since the whole act of averting or closing your eyes or even turning your head to block out the offensive image is, in a very literal way, moving one thing (you) away from another (the offending thing).

                      – Kristina Lopez
                      Oct 3 '14 at 14:18













                      Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

                      – Kibitzologist
                      Oct 3 '14 at 19:39





                      Okay, upvoted this despite my own competing suggestions. Very close to revulsion, but perhaps better nuances...

                      – Kibitzologist
                      Oct 3 '14 at 19:39











                      2














                      The word cringe might be useful here. It is to have a physical reaction to something that triggers your senses in a disruptive way. It doesn't necessarily mean you are revolted by it or think it intrinsically malicious or morally bad. But unlike just saying you are "embarrassed" it points the source of the reaction as coming from something outside yourself.



                      You could also describe the material itself as being cringeworthy (oxforddictionaries.com lists it as a single-word.)






                      share|improve this answer



















                      • 2





                        i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

                        – ell
                        Oct 3 '14 at 22:24













                      • @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

                        – HostileFork
                        Oct 4 '14 at 4:38
















                      2














                      The word cringe might be useful here. It is to have a physical reaction to something that triggers your senses in a disruptive way. It doesn't necessarily mean you are revolted by it or think it intrinsically malicious or morally bad. But unlike just saying you are "embarrassed" it points the source of the reaction as coming from something outside yourself.



                      You could also describe the material itself as being cringeworthy (oxforddictionaries.com lists it as a single-word.)






                      share|improve this answer



















                      • 2





                        i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

                        – ell
                        Oct 3 '14 at 22:24













                      • @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

                        – HostileFork
                        Oct 4 '14 at 4:38














                      2












                      2








                      2







                      The word cringe might be useful here. It is to have a physical reaction to something that triggers your senses in a disruptive way. It doesn't necessarily mean you are revolted by it or think it intrinsically malicious or morally bad. But unlike just saying you are "embarrassed" it points the source of the reaction as coming from something outside yourself.



                      You could also describe the material itself as being cringeworthy (oxforddictionaries.com lists it as a single-word.)






                      share|improve this answer













                      The word cringe might be useful here. It is to have a physical reaction to something that triggers your senses in a disruptive way. It doesn't necessarily mean you are revolted by it or think it intrinsically malicious or morally bad. But unlike just saying you are "embarrassed" it points the source of the reaction as coming from something outside yourself.



                      You could also describe the material itself as being cringeworthy (oxforddictionaries.com lists it as a single-word.)







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Oct 3 '14 at 22:15









                      HostileForkHostileFork

                      1737




                      1737








                      • 2





                        i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

                        – ell
                        Oct 3 '14 at 22:24













                      • @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

                        – HostileFork
                        Oct 4 '14 at 4:38














                      • 2





                        i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

                        – ell
                        Oct 3 '14 at 22:24













                      • @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

                        – HostileFork
                        Oct 4 '14 at 4:38








                      2




                      2





                      i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

                      – ell
                      Oct 3 '14 at 22:24







                      i know exactly the feeling OP describes, and this is the best answer so far. OP did not do something embarrassing, nor did they see something disgusting or revolting. they saw someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it. cringeworthy is a great word for that.

                      – ell
                      Oct 3 '14 at 22:24















                      @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

                      – HostileFork
                      Oct 4 '14 at 4:38





                      @sgroves seeing someone else do something that would embarrass them if they had done it -- yes, that's what I was thinking. Perhaps that should be asked if it's the OP's intent. If that is what they mean, then this is the best answer. :-) Because that is what I thought when I read it. But if that's not what they meant then it's not the right shade of meaning.

                      – HostileFork
                      Oct 4 '14 at 4:38











                      1














                      I would call it Suffering.



                      Suffering broadly may be categorized as physical or psychological, aka mental. It may come in all degrees of intensity, from mild to intolerable. Low-magnitude suffering may be called discomfort, whereas high-magnitude suffering is called agony.






                      share|improve this answer
























                      • Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 13:37
















                      1














                      I would call it Suffering.



                      Suffering broadly may be categorized as physical or psychological, aka mental. It may come in all degrees of intensity, from mild to intolerable. Low-magnitude suffering may be called discomfort, whereas high-magnitude suffering is called agony.






                      share|improve this answer
























                      • Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 13:37














                      1












                      1








                      1







                      I would call it Suffering.



                      Suffering broadly may be categorized as physical or psychological, aka mental. It may come in all degrees of intensity, from mild to intolerable. Low-magnitude suffering may be called discomfort, whereas high-magnitude suffering is called agony.






                      share|improve this answer













                      I would call it Suffering.



                      Suffering broadly may be categorized as physical or psychological, aka mental. It may come in all degrees of intensity, from mild to intolerable. Low-magnitude suffering may be called discomfort, whereas high-magnitude suffering is called agony.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Oct 3 '14 at 13:18









                      MistiMisti

                      13k42458




                      13k42458













                      • Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 13:37



















                      • Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 13:37

















                      Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

                      – Marc Buss
                      Oct 3 '14 at 13:37





                      Yes, it would be suffering, but I was looking for a verb to describe myself; such as: "I am mortified." Though, mortify does not accurately describe it.

                      – Marc Buss
                      Oct 3 '14 at 13:37











                      1














                      Dismay maybe?--it CAN be gut-sinking. Or if you want an intellectualized neologism I'm firing up quasisapientphobia for you!... =]



                      Alienation might work too...






                      share|improve this answer



















                      • 1





                        Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:04











                      • I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 21:37
















                      1














                      Dismay maybe?--it CAN be gut-sinking. Or if you want an intellectualized neologism I'm firing up quasisapientphobia for you!... =]



                      Alienation might work too...






                      share|improve this answer



















                      • 1





                        Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:04











                      • I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 21:37














                      1












                      1








                      1







                      Dismay maybe?--it CAN be gut-sinking. Or if you want an intellectualized neologism I'm firing up quasisapientphobia for you!... =]



                      Alienation might work too...






                      share|improve this answer













                      Dismay maybe?--it CAN be gut-sinking. Or if you want an intellectualized neologism I'm firing up quasisapientphobia for you!... =]



                      Alienation might work too...







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Oct 3 '14 at 13:35









                      KibitzologistKibitzologist

                      910178




                      910178








                      • 1





                        Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:04











                      • I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 21:37














                      • 1





                        Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

                        – Marc Buss
                        Oct 3 '14 at 14:04











                      • I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

                        – Kristina Lopez
                        Oct 3 '14 at 21:37








                      1




                      1





                      Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

                      – Marc Buss
                      Oct 3 '14 at 14:04





                      Hmmm..alienation would seem to be an "effect" of the stimulus; much like Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye'..preferably without the end result of a trip to the psychiatric ward..I think Kristina may be close with "repulsion", but I suspect English may not be a language that accurately describes intense emotional feelings.

                      – Marc Buss
                      Oct 3 '14 at 14:04













                      I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

                      – Kristina Lopez
                      Oct 3 '14 at 21:37





                      I think you have a point, @MarcBuss. My Spanish-as-his-native-language husband who has an outstanding command of English is frequently amazed that we have so relatively few words to describe shades of emotions.

                      – Kristina Lopez
                      Oct 3 '14 at 21:37











                      -2














                      -TRIGGERED-
                      From a future stance to your question, it's sounds like you were "triggered." Maybe certain events that you witness would be, to you, considered socially unacceptable, and can cause you stress
                      Emotional stress can cause physical pain. And, hypothetically, bottling up your unhappiness could be enough to cause this stress when you hear people joking about something or having a good time
                      As far as the mannerisms doing this, that's some DEEP psychological attachments. Subconsciously you could have certain actions linked to certain emotions, linked to physical responses.
                      I wouldn't say suffering or revolted because they seem too broad to define what your after. Especially with the amount of detail you give. "Cringe" was probably closest to the action, but I would say you were triggered or repulsed Another word to look at is Psychalgia.






                      share|improve this answer





















                      • 1





                        Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

                        – Chappo
                        Jan 12 at 10:22
















                      -2














                      -TRIGGERED-
                      From a future stance to your question, it's sounds like you were "triggered." Maybe certain events that you witness would be, to you, considered socially unacceptable, and can cause you stress
                      Emotional stress can cause physical pain. And, hypothetically, bottling up your unhappiness could be enough to cause this stress when you hear people joking about something or having a good time
                      As far as the mannerisms doing this, that's some DEEP psychological attachments. Subconsciously you could have certain actions linked to certain emotions, linked to physical responses.
                      I wouldn't say suffering or revolted because they seem too broad to define what your after. Especially with the amount of detail you give. "Cringe" was probably closest to the action, but I would say you were triggered or repulsed Another word to look at is Psychalgia.






                      share|improve this answer





















                      • 1





                        Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

                        – Chappo
                        Jan 12 at 10:22














                      -2












                      -2








                      -2







                      -TRIGGERED-
                      From a future stance to your question, it's sounds like you were "triggered." Maybe certain events that you witness would be, to you, considered socially unacceptable, and can cause you stress
                      Emotional stress can cause physical pain. And, hypothetically, bottling up your unhappiness could be enough to cause this stress when you hear people joking about something or having a good time
                      As far as the mannerisms doing this, that's some DEEP psychological attachments. Subconsciously you could have certain actions linked to certain emotions, linked to physical responses.
                      I wouldn't say suffering or revolted because they seem too broad to define what your after. Especially with the amount of detail you give. "Cringe" was probably closest to the action, but I would say you were triggered or repulsed Another word to look at is Psychalgia.






                      share|improve this answer















                      -TRIGGERED-
                      From a future stance to your question, it's sounds like you were "triggered." Maybe certain events that you witness would be, to you, considered socially unacceptable, and can cause you stress
                      Emotional stress can cause physical pain. And, hypothetically, bottling up your unhappiness could be enough to cause this stress when you hear people joking about something or having a good time
                      As far as the mannerisms doing this, that's some DEEP psychological attachments. Subconsciously you could have certain actions linked to certain emotions, linked to physical responses.
                      I wouldn't say suffering or revolted because they seem too broad to define what your after. Especially with the amount of detail you give. "Cringe" was probably closest to the action, but I would say you were triggered or repulsed Another word to look at is Psychalgia.







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited 4 mins ago

























                      answered Jan 11 at 16:00









                      David Ian BranchDavid Ian Branch

                      52




                      52








                      • 1





                        Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

                        – Chappo
                        Jan 12 at 10:22














                      • 1





                        Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

                        – Chappo
                        Jan 12 at 10:22








                      1




                      1





                      Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

                      – Chappo
                      Jan 12 at 10:22





                      Hi David, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide supporting evidence - e.g., add a published definition of triggered (linked to the source) and how it would be used in this context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)

                      – Chappo
                      Jan 12 at 10:22


















                      draft saved

                      draft discarded




















































                      Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                      But avoid



                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function () {
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f199565%2fone-word-to-describe-this-type-of-embarrassment%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                      }
                      );

                      Post as a guest















                      Required, but never shown





















































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown

































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown







                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Усть-Каменогорск

                      Халкинская богословская школа

                      Where does the word Sparryheid come from and mean?