VERKLEMPT

What Does Verklempt Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

Verklempt means overcome with emotion, often to the point of being unable to speak. It is usually caused by sentimentality or nostalgia.

More Details

Verklempt describes a state of being overwhelmed with emotion, often to the point of being unable to speak or express oneself. People might feel verklempt in situations that are deeply moving, sentimental, or emotionally charged, such as during a heartfelt speech, a touching moment at a wedding, or a poignant scene in a movie. It conveys a sense of being choked up or emotionally overcome.

The word verklempt comes from Yiddish, where it roughly means "choked up" or "overcome." It is famously associated with Saturday Night Live's (SNL) "Coffee Talk" skits, where host Linda Richman (played by Mike Myers) would say, "I'm getting a little verklempt... talk amongst yourselves!" before dramatically fanning herself (himself?).

Examples of Verklempt

Here's our attempt at a couple of (made-up) contemporary examples of how verklempt could be used. (If you have any better ones, drop us a line and we may include them.)

• Democrat: "But you denied having anything to do with Project 2025."
• Trump: "Don't get so biggly verklempt. Everyone knows there's a difference between what I say and what I mean. It's the art of the deal, loser!"

• Broflake: "Equal rights for men! All lives matter!"
• Corrupt President: "Don't get so verklempt. March on the capitol and tell them what you think! (But don't tell them I sent you.)"

Image for Verklempt

The word verklempt comes from Yiddish.

Summary of Key Points

Verklempt
Definition:	Overcome with Emotion
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults

An Academic Look at Verklempt

The word verklempt comes from Yiddish, meaning "overcome with emotion" or "on the verge of tears." It’s commonly used in informal contexts, especially in English-speaking Jewish communities, to describe moments when you're too emotional to speak or function, usually due to sadness or joy.

Example of Verklempt Used in a Text

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