hokey

Etymology

From the verb hoke (“to give an artificial feel to”), from hokum.

adj

1. (US, colloquial) Phony, as if a hoax; noticeably contrived; of obviously flimsy credibility or quality.
   When asked for his book report, Chad came up with a series of hokier and hokier excuses.
   I thought the windshield wiper blades were a little hokey when I saw their cheap packaging.
2. (US, colloquial) Corny; overly or unbelievably sentimental.
   Terry hated going to the cinema with Pat, she always chose hokey romantic comedies that made him want to gag.
   After the chant, we bowed our heads and closed our eyes, as Bob administered the recitation, part prayer and part affirmation—an ever-changing hokey thing that he improvised on the spot. 2018, Ling Ma, chapter 4, in Severance