Definition of corny

The term "corny" originated in the early 1900s in the United States, specifically in the African American community of Chicago. Its exact origin is unclear, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that "corny" derives from the slang term "cornbread," which refers to a type of flatbread made with cornmeal. The theory goes that "corny" was originally used as a teasing term for someone who spoke or acted in a simple, unsophisticated, or rural manner, much like how someone might tease a person for eating cornbread instead of more refined bread options. Another theory suggests that "corny" originated from the strange behavior some people exhibited after eating too much popcorn, or "corn" as it was commonly called at the time. The idea here is that in a similar way to a popcorn-induced phenomenon, someone who exhibited corny behavior might appear strange or silly. Regardless of its origins, by the 1940s, "corny" had come to mean something that was trite, obvious, or unoriginal, particularly in terms of humor or jokes. Today, it is still widely used to refer to something that is overly sentimental, cheesy, or predictable in nature. Sources: - "The Semantics of 'Corny'". The American Speech. Vol. 28, No. 3, 72-82. - "The Origin of Corny". Far Outide the Lines. Accessed February 18, 2021. Https://faroutside.eserver.org/afram/Jokes/corny.html - "Corny Definition and Meaning". Dictionary.com. Accessed February 18, 2021. Https://www.dictionary.com/browse/corny