Cloyed: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'cloyed' comes from the Middle English word 'cloyen,' which meant 'to choke or to clog.'
• Originally, the word described the sensation of being overwhelmed by excessive sweetness, often related to food.
• The roots can be traced back further to Old French, showing connections with the word 'clouer,' meaning 'to nail down.'

Culinary Perspectives

• Culinary experts often recommend balancing sweet flavors with acidity to avoid the cloyed feeling.
• Desserts that are overly sweet can lead to a quick sense of satisfaction followed by discomfort or desire for something savory.
• Pairing rich, sweet dishes with bitter or salty elements is a popular way to prevent cloying effects.

Psychology

• The sensation of being cloyed can affect food choices, leading some to seek more savory or bitter foods after overindulging in sweets.
• Studies suggest that people may have a limit to sweetness preference, known as 'sweetness saturation,' which can lead to feelings of cloyed satisfaction.
• Cloying experiences can create aversive associations, making individuals avoid similar overly sweet foods in the future.

Literature

• In literature, the term often appears in descriptions of romantic or sentimental scenes that might feel overly sugary or exaggerated.
• Classic novels sometimes use 'cloyed' to depict characters who are overwhelmed by excessive charm or sweetness, illustrating emotional fatigue.
• Poets may employ the term to convey the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia tinged with excess, making the reader reflect on uneven emotional experiences.

Pop Culture

• In film and music, themes of being cloyed often highlight moments of romantic excess, leading to comical or dramatic turns.
• The phrase 'too sweet' has been popularized in pop culture to describe moments that verge on being cloying in relationships and interactions.
• Reality shows sometimes portray contestants experiencing cloyed feelings when faced with over-the-top romantic gestures.

Ranking #38,610, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 38607 bellicosity
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• 38610 cloyed
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