Sentimentality (redirected from mawkishness)

Sentimentality

Checkers

dog given as gift to Nixon; used in his defense of political contributions during presidential campaign (1952). [Am. Hist.: Wallechinsky, 126]

Dondi

comic strip in which sentimentality is the main motif. [Comics: Horn, 217–218]

Fauntleroy, Little Lord

impossibly kind and unselfish child is loved by all and reforms selfish grandfather. [Am. Lit.: Benét, 591]

Five Little Peppers

saccharine story of five orphans. [Am. Lit.: Harriet Lothrop Five Little Peppers and How They Grew in Hart, 495]

Goody Two Shoes

mawkish girl, overpleased to have two shoes, exclaims her fortune to all. [Nurs. Rhyme: “Little Goody Two Shoes” in Barnhart, 502]

Hardy, Andy

protagonist of 1930s series of sentimental “family” movies. [Am. Cinema: Griffith, 300]

Little Nell

death scene of sweet child epitomizes sentimentality. [Br. Lit.: Old Curiosity Shop]

Mary Magdalene

portrayed traditionally in art as weeping; whence, maudlin. [Art: Misc.]

Orsino

plays role of languishing lover. [Br. Lit.: Twelfth Night]

Sentimental Tommy

forever playing the hero, he fails to be the faithful lover and husband of his adoring Grizel. [Br. Lit.: J. M. Barrie Sentimental Tommy in Benét, 914]

sob sister

journalist who handles advice to lovelorn column. [Am. Journalism: Brewer Dictionary, 1016]

Sweet Adeline

tune of a man’s former romance, usually sung in barbershop harmony. [Am. Music: Hart, 823]

Waltons, The

television show of depression-era America softened by nostalgia. [TV: Terrace, II, 418–419]

Werther

artistic young man whose ultra-romantic life is filled with hopeless passions. [Ger. Lit.: The Sorrows of Young Werther in Magill I, 915]