Pronunciation: [kˈɔːni] (IPA) 
The word "corny" is often misspelled due to its unusual orthography, but its phonetic transcription is /ˈkɔːni/. The root word, "corn," is pronounced with a long "o" sound. The "y" at the end is used to represent the /i/ vowel sound, which is common in English words that end in "y". Therefore, it is important to remember that the correct spelling of "corny" has just one "n" and two "r's" to create its unique sound.
Corny is an adjective used to describe something that is trite, overdone, or lacking in originality, often to the point of being cliché or cheesy. This term is commonly applied to jokes, expressions, or actions that are considered outdated or excessively sentimental. The word "corny" originated from the idea of something being of or relating to corn, which historically conveys a sense of rustic or unsophisticated quality.
When used to describe a joke, for instance, calling it corny implies that it is predictable, old-fashioned, and possibly unamusing to those with more contemporary tastes. Similarly, a corny expression or saying is one that lacks originality and may be considered insincere or overly sentimental. Corny actions are often associated with trying too hard to be endearing or charming, resulting in an exaggerated or insipid display.
The term corny is subjective, as something that one person finds corny, another may find amusing or heartfelt. However, the connotation of corniness generally implies a lack of authenticity or genuine emotion, as well as a certain level of predictability. Overall, if something is described as corny, it suggests it may be overly sentimental, out-of-date, or lacking originality in a way that causes it to be perceived negatively.
• Corn-like.
• Hard; corn-like.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "corny" originated from the late 18th century in the United States. The term is derived from the word "corn", referring to any small, hard particles or kernels. In its earliest usage, "corny" described something that was old-fashioned, rural, or unsophisticated, similar to the simple and inexpensive food made from corn. The word gradually came to be associated with outdated jokes, clichés, or sentimentality, hence acquiring its modern meaning of something trite, hackneyed, or lacking in originality.
