'tearjerker' originates from English, combining 'tear' meaning 'a drop of clear salty liquid secreted by glands in your eyes' and 'jerker' from 'jerk' meaning 'to pull or twist suddenly'.

'tearjerker' evolved from the combination of 'tear' and 'jerk' in the early 20th century to describe emotionally manipulative works.

Initially, it referred to any work that could evoke tears, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.