shmaltz
Noun: 1. Excessive, cheap, or cloying sentimentality: This refers to an overly emotional, maudlin, or tear-jerking quality, especially in art, music, or writing, that is considered tasteless or lacking in genuine depth.
The word "shmaltz" is used to criticize creative works for being overly sentimental in a way that feels manipulative, insincere, or artistically weak. It often describes music, films, or stories that rely heavily on obvious emotional triggers.
- Noun:
- The movie's ending was pure shmaltz, with the sudden reunion and the swelling violin music.
- He criticized the pop song for its shmaltz, saying it was designed only to make people cry.
- Avoid the shmaltz in your writing; try to show emotion more subtly.
- "Schmaltzy" (adjective): The more common adjectival form meaning "excessively sentimental."
- I can't stand those schmaltzy holiday commercials.
- Schmaltz: An alternative, more common spelling.
- Schmaltzy (adj.): Characterized by shmaltz; overly sentimental.
- Sentimentality
- Mawkishness
- Mush
- Corniness
- Maudlinness
- Austerity
- Restraint
- Understatement
- Sobriety
While "shmaltz" originates from Yiddish (where it literally means "rendered fat" or "grease"), its figurative meaning in English is exclusively negative. It implies that the emotion presented is as unsubtle and heavy as grease. It is not used to describe genuine, well-earned, or powerful emotion in a work of art.
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(Yiddish) excessive sentimentality in art or music
