Characterized by sickly sentimentality; overly sentimental.
synonyms:sentimentalmaudlinThe word 'mawkish' originated in the late 17th century from the dialect word 'mawk,' meaning 'maggot.' It then evolved to describe something sickly or insipid, reflecting a sense of unpleasantness.
Mawkish is generally used in literary or critical contexts, often to describe overly sentimental expressions in art, literature, or behavior.
While not commonly used in everyday conversation, 'mawkish' appears frequently in literary critiques and discussions about art and media.
The film was criticized for its mawkish portrayal of love, leaving many viewers feeling uncomfortable.
His mawkish speech at the wedding made some guests cringe rather than feel inspired.
She found the novel's mawkish tone detracted from the otherwise engaging plot.
The word 'mawkish' brings to mind a certain level of excessive sweetness that can leave a bitter aftertaste. Originating from a term related to maggots, it's ironic how something so unpleasant now labels overly sentimental expressions. Often found in literary critiques, 'mawkish' serves as a cautionary term for writers and artists to avoid crossing the line into excessive sentimentality. So, next time you encounter a piece of art that tugs at the heartstrings just a bit too hard, you might consider calling it mawkish!