Epicaricacy, pronounced as /ˌɛpɪˈkærɪkəsi/, is a rare English word that denotes the act of deriving pleasure from the misfortunes of others. This term serves as the direct English equivalent of the more widely recognized German word 'Schadenfreude'. The word is constructed from Ancient Greek roots: 'epi-' meaning 'upon', 'chara' meaning 'joy', and 'kakon' meaning 'evil', literally translating to 'joy upon evil'. It first appeared in English dictionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in Thomas Blount's 'Glossographia', but fell out of common usage in the 19th century as 'Schadenfreude' gained popularity. Today, epicaricacy is considered a 'lexical curiosity' in British English, often revived by linguists and enthusiasts who prefer native English terms. It encapsulates a specific type of guilty pleasure that society generally disapproves of yet is universally experienced. The term also has notable antonyms such as empathy, compassion, and confelicity, which denote joy in the happiness of others. Epicaricacy has been referenced in various literary works, highlighting its historical significance and cultural relevance.