SCHMALTZY Meaning and
Definition
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Schmaltzy is an adjective used to describe a piece of writing, music, film, or performance characterized by excessive sentimentality or emotional manipulation. The term is often associated with works that are overly maudlin, saccharine, or melodramatic, evoking exaggerated and cloying emotions.
A schmaltzy piece might rely on trite and clichéd imagery, employing exaggerated gestures, stock characters, or formulaic plotlines to evoke deep emotional responses from its audience. Such works often lack subtlety or nuance, opting instead for obvious and contrived emotional situations.
The term "schmaltzy" derives from the Yiddish word "schmaltz," which originally referred to rendered chicken fat that was used in traditional Jewish cooking. In a figurative sense, "schmaltz" came to be associated with excessive sentimentality or embellishment, and "schmaltzy" similarly describes a work that is saccharine or overly affected.
Schmaltzy works are typically criticized for evoking cheap or manipulative emotions, as they tend to use sentimental devices that may feel forced or inauthentic. However, it is important to note that the perception of something as schmaltzy can be subjective, as what one person finds moving, another might consider excessively sentimental. Thus, the term "schmaltzy" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of artistic depth or emotional honesty.
Common Misspellings for SCHMALTZY
Etymology of SCHMALTZY
The word "schmaltzy" is derived from Yiddish, which is a language that developed among the Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe. In Yiddish, the word for rendered chicken or goose fat is "schmalts", and it has been used to describe something excessively sentimental or overly emotional. The Yiddish term "schmaltsik", meaning "greasy" or "fat", eventually transitioned into English as "schmaltzy", retaining its original connotation of excessive sentimentality.
Similar spelling words for SCHMALTZY
