Word: maudlin
Pronunciation: MAHD-lΙn
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Here’s an interesting word I stumbled across a few weeks ago. I can’t remember exactly where I read it, just that it caught my attention for how poetic it sounded. I don’t usually care for tragic words, but some may consider it fitting for February due to the impending pressure of Valentine’s Day. Here’s hoping you don’t find yourself feeling “maudlin” this month!
To be “maudlin” is to be tearfully or self-pityingly sentimental. The word arose in late Middle English as a noun denoting Mary Magdalene and comes from the Old French name Madeleine. This name derives from the ecclesiastical Latin name Magdalena, also a reference to Mary Magdalene.
It’s easy to see how this adjective evolved from the image of Mary Magdalene, as she was often depicted weeping in religious art. The North American entry for this word in Oxford Dictionaries includes “often through drunkenness” in its definition, though this needn’t necessarily be the cause of such emotion. If your characters ever find themselves in a deep state of self pity or excessive sentimentality, you may want to consider including the word “maudlin” in your stories!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future βWord of the Weekβ featured words?
This is a word I’ve liked for a long time, but I don’t think I’ve ever had an opportunity to use it effectively in anything I’ve written. Maybe once in a poem I wrote back in the ’90’s.
Indeed, this word does sound more fitting for poems than for stories. Still, I’d like to try using it in my writing sometime! I’m sure it could work well somewhere in a romantic story! Thanks for reading! π
You’re welcome! π The word maudlin that also reminds me of the late actor Karl Malden, who did star in the love triangle movie Baby Doll (fortunately not the title role π )
My Mom’s the only person I know who manages to use this word…but then she’s better at grammar and English than I am, so it’s not surprising.
That’s cool that you know someone who uses this word! So far I’ve only ever read it, but it would be interesting to hear it in context. Thanks for reading! π