Maudlin
Maudlin refers to an exaggerated display of sentimentality, often involving tears or self-pity, that comes across as insincere or overly emotional. In contemporary contexts, it's frequently used to critique art, media, or behavior that manipulates emotions without substance, highlighting how genuine feelings can tip into the ridiculous.
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Interestingly, maudlin's connection to Mary Magdalene has led to its use in English slang for alcohol-induced sentimentality since the 1600s, appearing in Samuel Pepys' diaries where he describes friends becoming 'maudlin drunk'—a term that influenced modern phrases and even inspired characters in Charles Dickens' novels, blending religious history with everyday vice in surprising ways.
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