secondhand embarrassment

Definition

Embarrassment or discomfort felt by an observer when watching someone else do something awkward, humiliating, or cringey—as if the embarrassment transfers from the person involved to the spectator. Also called 'vicarious embarrassment.'

Example Usage

I got secondhand embarrassment watching him stumble through that presentation in front of the whole company.

Origin

Psychological phenomenon with a modern colloquial name; the term 'secondhand embarrassment' gained popularization in 2000s internet culture and psychology discussions.

Fun Fact

Psychologists have studied secondhand embarrassment and found it's stronger in people with higher empathy levels.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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