corn pone

¹ American  

[kawrn pohn] / ˈkɔrn ˌpoʊn /

noun

Southern U.S.

1. cornbread, especially of a plain or simple kind.

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corn-pone ² American  

[kawrn-pohn] / ˈkɔrnˌpoʊn /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of an unsophisticated rural person, especially from the South.

   a corn-pone accent.

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corn pone British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: pone.  corn bread, esp a plain type made with water

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Etymology

Origin of corn pone¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; pone ¹ ( def. )

Origin of corn-pone²

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, a 1928 New York Times article used the phrase to describe the homemaking abilities of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover: "as American as apple pie or corn pone."

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2021

But the movie mostly plays so strained and corn pone that it undermines its sincere emotional core and good intentions.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2015

We wanted to dip into the unapologetic mix of corn pone, roller coasters and celebrity that is Ms. Parton’s very lucrative Appalachian Southern fantasy.

From New York Times • Aug. 22, 2014

Coming from a more immodest person, that might sound like pure Midwestern corn pone.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2012

“You been feeding your husband grits and corn pone ever day?”

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett