Etymology Northern English dialect, from can (“to know”) ( + -y), from Middle English can, first and third person singular of cunnen, connen (“to be able, know how to”), from Old English cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”). Compare Scots canny, English cunny, Old English cann (“knowledge, assertion”). More at can, cunning.
1
Careful, prudent, cautious.
The politician gave a canny response to the reporter’s questions.
O! as thou art bonny, be prudent and canny,1723-1737, Allan Ramsay, “Love Inviting Reason”, in The Tea-Table Miscellany
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“Canny now, lads, canny now!” exclaimed old Mucklebackit, who acted as commodore; “swerve the yard a bit—Now—there! there she sits safe on dry land.”1816, [Walter Scott], The Antiquary. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC:
2
Knowing, shrewd, astute.
The canny lawyer knew just how to get what he wanted.
‘Paris Hilton is A-list. She’s a genuinely really big star,’ said Professor Robert Thompson, a popular culture expert at Syracuse University. She’s also a canny money-making machine.2005 May 8, Paul Harris, “How canny Paris turned into a global business brand”, in The Guardian:
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Then again, in war, politics and life, it’s always wiser to treat your adversary as a canny fox, not a crazy fool.2022 March 29, Bret Stephens, “What if Putin Didn’t Miscalculate?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
3
Frugal, thrifty.
canny investments
Whate’er he wins, I’ll guide with canny care.1751, Allan Ramsay, “The Gentle Shepherd”, in Poems by Allan Ramsay, published 1751:
But gie me a cannie hour at e’en, My arms about my dearie O; An’ warl’y cares, an’ warl’y men, Mae a’ gae tapsalteerie O!1783, Robert Burns, “Green Grow the Rashes O”, in Songs and Ballads:
Etymology Northern English dialect, from can (“to know”) ( + -y), from Middle English can, first and third person singular of cunnen, connen (“to be able, know how to”), from Old English cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”). Compare Scots canny, English cunny, Old English cann (“knowledge, assertion”). More at can, cunning.
I should have been glad to be assured that she prayed when on her knees, or read when that book was before her; I should have felt that she was more canny and human.1865, Sheridan Le Fanu, Uncle Silas:
“Live here with a lot of blooming performing animals! No fear,” they said. “And ghosts too,” some added with a shudder. “That’s what those Dryads really are. It’s not canny.”1951, C. S. Lewis, Prince Caspian:
canny
adj
Etymology can (“more or less cylindrical metal container”) + -y
1
Especially, Of sound Sounding as if it is coming through a tin can.
The rear sounds sounded canny compared to the front ones. And you also have to adjust the volume so both pair of speakers are at the same level, […]1998 August 20, Kallel, Four speakers are a pain in the ass ;P, in 3dfx.products.voodoo2
I am using the stereo outs, I am getting nice reverb out of it but the probelm^([sic]) is the entire sound is like i said like its coming through a can. even when in bypass mode it sound "canny". Thank you for your input. Stacey2000 October 17, Dreamin Man, “Lexicon MPX 100?”, in rec.audio.pro (Usenet):
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I was approch. 3 meters from the stage and the sound was very good from there. But if you had seats way up at the sides or at the back I can understand that you could have experienced a "canny" sound.2001 October 8, Philippe, “Antwerp - what a disappointment !!!!”, in alt.music.depeche-mode (Usenet):
The metal zone is too 'canny'.... Boss has a handful of great distortions - DS-1, Mega Distortion, DS-2, Heavy Metal....2006 March 23, The Chris, “Re: Best Distortion Under $100”, in alt.guitar (Usenet):
Not bad.. Although I think the 290 might have a slight edge on video crispness, I think the audio is better on the ultra HD. Hear more low end, and slightly less canny sounding from what I can tell.2010 May 24, nm...@wt.net, “FlipHD Saturday SECTR5 LittleWing”, in alt.guitar (Usenet):