Here's a breakdown:
* Origin: It's derived from the Yiddish word "schmaltz," which means "rendered chicken fat," but also carries the connotation of being overly sentimental or melodramatic.
* Meaning: Think of it as a heightened version of "cheesy" or "corny." Something schmatzy is often overly emotional, trying too hard to be touching, and sometimes comes off as insincere or even ridiculous.
* Examples:
* A schmatzy love song with overly dramatic lyrics and a predictable melody.
* A schmatzy movie with unrealistic happy endings and tear-jerking scenes.
* A schmatzy Valentine's Day card with overly flowery language.
In essence, "schmatzy" implies a kind of saccharine, over-the-top sentimentality that can be endearing or off-putting depending on the context.