schmaltz
or schmalz
[shmahlts, shmawlts]
- Informal. exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or soap operas.
- fat or grease, especially of a chicken.
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Origin of schmaltz
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
sentimentalismsentimentmushinessnostalgiamawkishnessreminiscencebathostritenessmelodramaExamples from the Web for schmaltz
Historical Examples
Schmaltz and Lachaumareys gave orders to take the route for Senegal.
Perils and CaptivityCharlotte-Adlade [ne Picard] Dard
Schmaltz and Lachaumareys, were at the port to receive us from our boats.
Perils and CaptivityCharlotte-Adlade [ne Picard] Dard
And again the fortune of Schmaltz was swept away and again he was kicked.
The Boy Grew OlderHeywood Broun
Somehow or other the story of Schmaltz and the shirt had made him sad.
The Boy Grew OlderHeywood Broun
He and Schmaltz they couldn't have it whole because "half of the back is on the front."
The Boy Grew OlderHeywood Broun
schmaltz
schmalz
- excessive sentimentality, esp in music
- US animal fat used in cooking
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Word Origin
C20: from German (Schmalz) and Yiddish: melted fat, from Old High German smalz
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for schmaltz
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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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper