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A Random Word From the Archives Want another word? Refresh this page Permanent link for this word: schmaltz A.Word.A.Day--schmaltz schmaltz (shmahlts) noun, also schmalz 1. Exaggerated sentimentality, especially in art, music, movies, etc. 2. Fat or grease, especially chicken fat. [From Yiddish shmalts (rendered fat, sentimentality), from Middle High German smalz. Ultimately from the same Indo-European root (mel- : soft) as words such as malt, melt, mollify, smelt, and enamel.] "McCartney's piano playing is Vegas-lounge schmaltz." Graham Reid; The Beatles: Let It Be ... Naked; New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand); Dec 13, 2003. "Don't worry, Miracle (on 34th Street) fans. The schmaltz has been left intact. The new version isn't better than the original or even as good, but it's awfully entertaining -- for those of us who like that sort of thing." Julie Salamon; Film: Survival in China; Wall Street Journal (New York); Nov 17, 1994. This week's theme: words borrowed from Yiddish. X-Bonus I envy people who drink - at least they know what to blame everything on. -Oscar Levant, composer (1906-1972)

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