The word cheesy is a term that is used in the Castilian language informally or as part of the lunfardo to refer to an overly demonstrative attitude that already goes beyond the limits of what is normally accepted by society. In addition, the word cheesy can also refer to those expressions, ways of acting or behaving that pretend to have a certain elegance or style but that do not make it more obvious because they are artificial or unnatural.
It is not known for sure, as with most of the words that make up the colloquial language of a language, what is the origin of the word cheesy although there are some versions. One of them tells of an Italian family named Sicour (which would be corny to read backwards) who desperately wanted to demonstrate a social status that they did not possess and therefore fell into evidence in front of those people who naturally accessed the most refined circles of the world. society. However, this theory is not proven and in any case it would not finish explaining all the meanings that this term has today.
When we talk about something or someone being corny, we mean that they use expressions, phrases, words or expressions of affection that are very hackneyed, worn and excessively demonstrative, so much so that those who witness it are usually ashamed. In this sense, the idea that someone can be corny obviously has to do with very subjective social parameters since the consideration of kitsch varies from person to person.
Usually, cornyness is less accepted in men than in women because it is believed that socially the man must always show a tougher attitude, reluctant to show affection and tenderness, while women are allowed more or are not seen so ridiculously. For this reason, inversely to what is believed, the idea of corny or corny applies more to men than to women since it does not surprise as much or generate rejection of them.
