noun
schmaltz
SHMAWLTS/ʃmɔːlts/
Excessive or exaggerated sentimentality.
The exaggeratedly sentimental performance is full of schmaltz.
Etymology
Yiddish shmalts literally means “melted fat.” Its figurative use turns that fatty richness into a label for sentiment laid on too thickly in art, music, or speech.
More examples
- She preferred honest feeling to schmaltz.
- The song’s schmaltz made him wince.
- The reviewer criticized the ending’s excessive schmaltz.
Forms
schmaltz
Similar words
- sentimentality
- Sentimentality is exaggerated feeling; schmaltz is an informal, often mocking term for it.
- pathos
- Pathos can be genuine emotional power; schmaltz criticizes manipulative or excessive sweetness.