All you vocabulary buffs... :)

[thecomisar]

<p>Any tips on how to understand/remember the difference between mawkish and maudlin? Are they used differently?</p>

[glucose101]

<p>I doubt they’d pair these 2 together.</p>

[hotpiece101]

<p>they mean the same things: sentimentality to the point of ridiculousness. </p>

<p>i’m pretty sure they can be used interchangeably.</p>

[thecomisar]

<p>Oh, ok, thanks. Just making sure ;-)</p>

[syn]

<p>They can’t be used interchangeably; from the Oxford American Dictionary:

Maudlin derives from the name Mary Magdalene, who was often shown with her eyes swollen from weeping. It implies a lack of self-restraint, particularly in the form of excessive tearfulness.
Mawkish carries sentimentality a step further, implying emotion so excessive that it provokes loathing or disgust (: mawkish attempts to win the audience over).

</p>

[Lakshya_M]

<p>^^ Thats the best way you can distinguish between them.</p>

[thecomisar]

<p>I think I get it… :)</p>