1
Stage 1 of 3
verklemmt
German · medieval
"clamped, constricted"
meaning "clamped" or "tight", describing emotional constriction
2
Stage 2 of 3
farklemt
Yiddish · medieval
"overcome with emotion"
came to describe being overwhelmed with emotion
3
Stage 3 of 3
verklempt
English · 1900s
"overcome with emotion, especially to the point of speechlessness"
popularized through Yiddish-influenced American comedy
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