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Schmaltz Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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schmaltz

[ʃmɑːlts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

cooking

Rendered chicken or goose fat used in Jewish cooking, especially for frying or as a spread.

Synonyms

fat, grease, lard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
schmaltz

Use this when referring to rendered chicken or goose fat, commonly used in Jewish cuisine. It can also refer to overly sentimental or emotional content in a negative way.

  • Grandma always adds schmaltz to her matzo ball soup.
  • The movie was full of schmaltz, making it almost unwatchable.
fat

This is a general term for the oily substance found in animals and plants. It can be used in cooking or in a biological/health context.

  • The recipe calls for trimming the fat from the steak.
  • He's trying to reduce body fat through exercise.
grease

Used to describe a thick, oily substance often used for lubrication or found in cooking, especially when referring to leftover oils from cooking meat.

  • Make sure to grease the pan before pouring in the batter.
  • There's a lot of grease on the stove after frying bacon.
lard

This term specifically refers to rendered pork fat, commonly used in baking and frying. It's also used in some traditional cuisines.

  • She uses lard instead of butter to make flaky pie crusts.
  • The old recipe calls for cooking the beans in lard.

Examples of usage

  • The latkes were fried in schmaltz for extra flavor.
  • My grandmother always used schmaltz in her matzo ball soup.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

Excessive sentimentality or emotionalism, especially in music or literature.

Synonyms

corniness, mawkishness, sentimentality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
schmaltz

Used to describe exaggerated sentimentalism, often in an insincere or over-the-top manner. It carries a slightly negative connotation when referring to something that feels overly emotional or cheesy.

  • The movie was filled with unnecessary schmaltz, making it hard to take the story seriously.
  • She decorated her house with so much schmaltz that it felt like a Christmas store.
sentimentality

Refers to the quality of being overly sentimental, often evoking tender emotions. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context and intensity of the emotion portrayed.

  • There was a touch of sentimentality in his speech that moved the audience.
  • The novel's sentimentality was appealing to readers who enjoy emotional stories.
mawkishness

Describes an excessive, sickening sentimentality that is often perceived as insincere or cloying. It is used in a negative sense.

  • The play's mawkishness made it difficult to sit through without feeling embarrassed.
  • Her writing was criticized for its mawkishness, as it felt overly sentimental and forced.
corniness

Refers to something that is overly sentimental or cheesy, and often perceived as lacking depth or sophistication. It has a negative connotation.

  • The comedian's jokes were filled with corniness, making the audience groan instead of laugh.
  • His attempt at a romantic gesture was so full of corniness that it made her cringe.

Examples of usage

  • The movie was criticized for its schmaltz and lack of authenticity.
  • His writing is full of schmaltz and cliches.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In music, well-known figures like Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond have been labeled as practitioners of schmaltz due to their emotional ballads.
  • The film industry often uses this style to create heartwarming scenes, prompting audiences to feel deeply, even if it's a bit over-the-top.
  • Television shows with nostalgia or heartfelt moments, like 'This Is Us,' often integrate elements of schmaltz to engage viewers emotionally.

Literature

  • Schmaltz often appears in romantic literature, where exaggerated expressions of love create a vivid emotional response.
  • Authors like Nicholas Sparks incorporate sentimental moments to tug at readers' heartstrings, often leading to deeply emotional conclusions.
  • Children's stories frequently use schmaltz, creating warm tales that evoke feelings of love and safety.

Psychology

  • Emotionally charged stories can create a sense of connection and empathy between the storyteller and the audience.
  • Researchers in emotional psychology suggest that heightened sentimentality can lead to catharsis, where audiences release pent-up emotions.
  • Schmaltz can be a way for individuals to express feelings that they may not articulate in day-to-day life, creating a safe space for vulnerability.

Cultural Significance

  • In Jewish culture, the use of schmaltz in music and art reflects a long tradition of conveying deep emotional experiences.
  • Celebrations, such as weddings, frequently embrace schmaltz in speeches and toasts to convey heartfelt messages.
  • Understanding schmalz in cultural terms highlights its role in shared experiences and community bonding through emotional expression.

Origin of 'schmaltz'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Yiddish, where it originally referred to rendered chicken fat, commonly used in Jewish cooking.
  • In Yiddish culture, this term evolved to describe excessive sentimentality, much like the richness of the fat.
  • The transition from a culinary term to a description of emotional expression illustrates the cultural blending in Jewish communities.

The word 'schmaltz' comes from Yiddish, originally from Middle High German 'smalz', meaning rendered animal fat. In Jewish cuisine, schmaltz has been used for centuries as a cooking fat and flavor enhancer. The informal meaning of excessive sentimentality or emotionalism developed in the 20th century.

See also: schmaltzy.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,486, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.