schmaltz

or schmalz

[ shmahlts, shmawlts ]
/ ʃmɑlts, ʃmɔlts /

noun

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

Origin of schmaltz

1930–35; < Yiddish shmalts or German Schmaltz; cognate with smelt1

Example sentences from the Web for schmaltz

British Dictionary definitions for schmaltz

schmaltz

schmalz

/ (ʃmælts, ʃmɔːlts) /

noun

excessive sentimentality, esp in music
US animal fat used in cooking

Word Origin for schmaltz

C20: from German ( Schmalz) and Yiddish: melted fat, from Old High German smalz