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Corny

Corny illustration
"Corny" is when something is so cheesy and silly, it's kinda embarrassing!

EXAMPLES

  • That joke about the chicken crossing the road was so corny.

  • When Dad tries to dance, it's always awkwardly corny but cute.

  • He tried to be cool, but it turned out super corny, like old-timey movie lines.

REAL LIFE

Scenario:

A couple celebrates their anniversary, and one person gifts the other a giant teddy bear.

University illustration

COMMENTS:

  • — That's so corny, but kinda cute, I guess.

  • — A giant teddy bear? How cheesy , but sweet.

  • — Really? A huge teddy bear? That's pretty corny.

EXPLANATION

"Corny" means something that's super cheesy or overly sentimental, like a joke or line that’s trying too hard to be funny or sweet. Imagine someone saying, "Are you a magician? Because every time I look at you, everyone else disappears." That’s *corny*! It’s not bad—it’s just kinda cringy and makes people roll their eyes or laugh awkwardly .