schmaltz

alternative schmalz · alternative shmaltz · alternative shmalz

1. uncountablecookingRendered chicken or goose fat.

   1 more example

   Even now, as medical science has given a nod to the moderate consumption of saturated animal fats, and the culinary elite has fallen hard for the likes of lard, tallow and duck fat, poor schmaltz remains the babushka-clad cousin not invited to the table. This is a shame, because schmaltz is one the most versatile and flavorful fats you can use.

   2014 December 9, Melissa Clark, “Schmaltz Finds a New, Younger Audience”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 10 Dec 2014

2. derogatoryfigurativelyuncountableExcessively sentimental art or music.

   The cost, for [George] Saunders, of moving beyond the stylized violence of his early stories seems to be the transmutation of a portion of his violence into schmaltz.

   2017 February 7, Caleb Crain, “The Sentimental Sadist”, in The Atlantic, →ISSN, archived from the original on 03 Apr 2021

   1 more example

   Are you moved because the disco soundscape of “Moon Crystal” reminds you of TV shows from long ago, or because those high, whining violins over funk guitar are eternally gorgeous? […] Schmaltz is schmaltz, and it can make life worth living.

   2016 April 8, Spencer Kornhaber, “M83's ‘Junk’ Revels in the Joy of Schmaltz”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 10 Jun 2016

plural Schmaltzes

1. A surname from German.