"can of corn" (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Laurence Horn]

The only viable competitors I can think of are "can of beans" and "can of soup", and "can of corn" (or "can o' corn") has alliteration going for it.

LH


On Aug 22, 2014, at 5:33 PM, Mullins, Bill CIV (US) wrote:

> Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
> Caveats: NONE
> 
> 
> 
> As for the
>> legendary explanation for the origin of the metaphorical express= ion
>> "can of corn":  I can't imagine there exists evidence that canned corn
>> = was ever typically shelved higher than other food items in grocery
>> stores!= 
> 
> Maybe not, but "can of corn" has a much better rhythm than "can of chick peas" or "can of turnip greens".
> 
> Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
> Caveats: NONE
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org