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Schmalz

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English uses the German word schmalz to refer to artistic creations which are extremely sentimental, typically sad or romantic, and usually overly so. Books, films, drama, visual art and music can all be schmalzy, which also usually implies they are not very original or meaningful, though they may be very enjoyable. In English the word is often written schmaltz, accurately reproducing the German pronunciation of the letter z. For physical objects in poor taste English also uses the German word kitsch.

In German the noun Schmalz refers to animal fat that has had the water content removed,  using a heating process called clarifying or rendering it. This gives the fat a much longer storage life and a higher cooking temperature, and it may give a strong flavour to cooking.  Schmalz is  a noun from the German verb schmelzen, which means to melt, and Schweineschmalz is lard and  Butterschmalz clarified butter.