schmaltz









schmaltz


noun

  1. Informal. exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or soap operas.
  2. fat or grease, especially of a chicken.

noun

  1. excessive sentimentality, esp in music
  2. US animal fat used in cooking

n.“banal or excessive sentimentalism,” 1935, from Yiddish shmalts, literally “melted fat,” from Middle High German smalz, from Old High German smalz “animal fat,” related to smelzan “to melt” (see smelt (v.)). Modern German Schmalz “fat, grease” has the same figurative meaning. First mentioned in English as “a derogatory term used to describe straight jazz” [“Vanity Fair,” Nov. 1935].

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