Mawkish: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'mawkish' comes from the Middle English term 'maukin,' which referred to a cat or a little woman, implying something overly soft or sentimental.
• It entered the English language in the 18th century, when writers began using it to describe sentimental poems and stories that felt excessive.
• The prefix 'maw-' is thought to relate to being overfed or indulged, hinting at the idea of excessive sentimentality.

Pop Culture

• In films, mawkish moments often occur during dramatic scenes, where characters express extreme emotions, such as prolonged goodbyes or exaggerated love declarations.
• Certain romantic comedies are criticized for being mawkish when the relationship between characters seems overly idealized and unrealistic.
• Music can also be mawkish; songs that lay heavily on emotions without depth may create a longing feeling but can come off as cheesy or forced.

Psychology

• People might react negatively to mawkishness because it can feel deceptive, causing mistrust or discomfort with the emotional display.
• Excessive emotional expressions can lead to 'emotional fatigue' in audiences, leaving them feeling overwhelmed rather than uplifted.
• Psychologically, a significant response to mawkishness can stem from personal experiences, where excessive emotion may trigger memories of loss or vulnerability.

Literature

• Some authors purposefully write with a mawkish tone to evoke strong reader reactions, knowing that this style can elicit both affection and criticism.
• Classic works of literature sometimes critique the mawkish, showcasing characters who overemphasize their feelings, making them appear insincere.
• Genres like melodrama often embrace mawkishness, as they thrive on high emotions and exaggerated situations to engage their audiences.

Art

• In visual arts, mawkishness can be depicted in overly sentimental or idealized imagery, often reflecting romanticized views of life.
• Artists may use soft colors and flowing lines in their work to evoke feelings of nostalgia or sentimentality that border on the mawkish.
• The excess of emotion in artwork can be polarizing; some viewers appreciate the emotional depth, while others find it too sweet or lacking in authenticity.

This word's position of #33,594 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 33591 carnally
• 33592 monomania
• 33593 befriending
• 33594 mawkish
• 33595 blaspheming
• 33596 spry
• 33597 prance
• ...