The expression “a can of corn and it’ll be fine” was first used in the late 1800s by grocery store clerks to get goods from the shelves to the cash register. The meaning of the phrase varies depending on context, but it basically means an easy catch. Now, it’s used by anyone in any setting. This usage was most recently seen in 2005’s remake of The Longest Yard.
There are many theories about the origins of this saying. Grocers used pyramid displays to display cans of vegetables. The whole display would fall if you tried to grab a can from its base. Instead, storekeepers would use a long stick to pull the can from the top, catching it in the process. The saying is now a common phrase that describes every aspect of life.
0