TEAR JERKER Meaning and
Definition
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Tear jerker is a colloquial expression that refers to a work of art, such as a movie, book, or song, that is intentionally designed to elicit strong emotional responses from its audience, typically through sentimental or tragic storylines or scenes. The term often implies that the emotions invoked are particularly powerful or overwhelming, often resulting in tears from those experiencing the work.
A tear jerker is commonly characterized by its ability to evoke feelings of sadness, empathy, or sympathy in the audience, often through the depiction of heart-wrenching events, deep emotional struggles, or poignant moments. The intention behind a tear jerker is to evoke a cathartic emotional release, allowing the viewers or readers to experience intense emotions, often related to love, loss, or profound human experiences, and to connect with the characters or situations portrayed.
The term "tear jerker" originated in the early 20th century, often associated with sentimental plays or melodramatic films that aimed to elicit tears from the audience through exaggerated or highly emotional stories. While tear jerkers are sometimes dismissed as manipulative or overly sentimental, they can also be seen as powerful storytelling tools that tap into universal human emotions.
In summary, a tear jerker is a work of art that evokes powerful emotions, particularly sadness, through sentimental or tragic narratives or scenes. Its objective is to move the audience to tears, allowing for a deep emotional connection between the artwork and its viewers or readers.
Common Misspellings for TEAR JERKER
- rear jerker
- fear jerker
- gear jerker
- year jerker
- 6ear jerker
- 5ear jerker
- twar jerker
- tsar jerker
- tdar jerker
- trar jerker
- t4ar jerker
- t3ar jerker
- tezr jerker
- tesr jerker
- tewr jerker
- teqr jerker
- teae jerker
- tead jerker
- teaf jerker
- teat jerker
Etymology of TEAR JERKER
The term "tear jerker" originated in the early 20th century to describe a work of literature, film, or music that is particularly emotional and capable of bringing tears to one's eyes.
The word "tear" refers to the act of crying, while "jerker" alludes to the idea of forcibly or suddenly causing tears. The term can be seen as a metaphorical expression, emphasizing the ability of a particular piece of art to evoke strong emotions and move people to tears.
The exact etymology of the phrase is not entirely clear, as it developed organically within the English language. However, it is believed to have originated from the verb "to jerk", which means to move or impel abruptly or spasmodically. In the context of "tear jerker", this suggests that the emotional impact is sudden and intense, tugging at one's heartstrings and causing tears to well up.
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