canny

Etymology 1

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.

adj

1. Careful, prudent, cautious.
   The politician gave a canny response to the reporter's questions.
   1723-1737, Allan Ramsay, "Love Inviting Reason", in The Tea-Table Miscellany O ! as thou art bonny , be prudent and canny, And think on thy Jamie wha dotes upon thee
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. 2005-05-08, Paul Harris, “How canny Paris turned into a global business brand”, in The Guardian
   Then again, in war, politics and life, it’s always wiser to treat your adversary as a canny fox, not a crazy fool. 2022-03-29, 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
4. (Scotland, Northumbria) Friendly, pleasant, fair, agreeable; (sometimes) funny.
   She's a canny lass hor like!
   But gie me a cannie hour at e'en, My arms about my dearie O; An' warl'y cares, an' warl'y men, 1783, Robert Burns, “Green Grow the Rashes O”, in Songs and Ballads
5. (Scotland, Northumbria) Gentle, quiet, steady.
   a canny horse
   be canny with this letter

adv

1. (Northumbria) Very, considerably; quite, rather.
   That's a canny big horse, man!
   a canny long journey
   canny near home
2. (Scotland, Northumbria) Gently, quietly; carefully, skilfully.
   he sits very canny
   drive canny

Etymology 2

table can (“more or less cylindrical metal container”) + -y

adj

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 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. Stacey October 17 2000, Dreamin Man, “Lexicon MPX 100?”, in rec.audio.pro (Usenet)
   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. October 8 2001, 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.... March 23 2006, 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. May 24 2010, nm...@wt.net, “FlipHD Saturday SECTR5 LittleWing”, in alt.guitar (Usenet)