| The context I know it in is Yiddish and it has to do with a vague state of emotion that makes one sad, happy, with tears welling, voice breaking... usually associated with Jewish mothers. It was made famous by Mike Myers (of SNL fame, not TM) playing the middle-aged Jewish mother hosting "Cawfee Tawk".
She'd start talking about an issue that put her on the verge of tears and state that she was getting "verklempt". At that point she'd bring up some non-sequitor political situation and ask the audience to discuss amongst themselves until she collected herself.
A priceless, now legendary, bit.
ML |