"popcorn ball," 1843, from corn (n.1) + ball (n.1). The adjectival meaning "trite and old-fashioned" (by 1949 in Billboard magazine) probably is an elaboration of corny in this sense; cornball "a corny person" is noted in African-American vernacular by 1946.
corky
corm
cormorant
corn
corn flakes
cornball
cornbread
corn-cob
corn-crib
corn-dodger
corn-dog