Corn pone is another word for a hillbilly, or poe dunk.

I came across this while I was searching for something on “corn pone”.  Never heard of “poe dunk” - can anyone tell me more about it and its origins?

Usually spelled podunk.

I have little doubt that you’re right that that is what is meant, jheem, but have you actually ever seen podunk spelled “poe dunk”?  It’s a new one on me.

It’s a new one on me.

By usually I meant always. You are correct, Dr Techie, I was hedging my waffles. I believe I’ve seen it spelled po’ dunk to bring it into line with one of its folk etymologies.

As a teenager in the 1950s I remember driving through Massachusetts and driving past a sign identifying the watercourse “Podunk Creek.” No apostrophes or spaces in evidence.

Cecil on Podunk.

"Podunk Holler” is the term a friend used to describe a bad section of town, when we were teenagers. 

OK, that link Jheem provided refers to Podunk Hollow.

Thanks, folks. I am really enjoying this place.

"Podunk Center” implied a poor town or section of town with an uneducated population.  AKA “hicksville”.
1950’s Philadelphia, PA area.