can of corn

[ kan uhv kawrn ]

noun

, Baseball Slang.

1. a fly ball that is so easy to catch that the fielder need only stand under the falling ball and let it drop into their glove:

   That’s the third straight can of corn off a Yankee bat tonight, and the Toronto outfield is not complaining.

Word History and Origins

Origin of can of corn¹

First recorded in 1930–35; origin uncertain; perhaps referring to a grocer using a long-handled grabber to tip canned goods down from a high shelf into his hand or apron

Related Words

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• blooper
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• pop-up