hanky-panky

hanky-panky
Hankey-pankey Han"key-pan"key, Hankey-pank Han"key-pank`(h[a^][ng]"k[y^]*p[a^][ng]"k[y^]), n. [Cf. {Hocus-pocus}.] [Also spelled {hanky-panky}.] 1. Professional cant; the chatter of conjurers to divert attention from their tricks; hence, jugglery. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

2. Illegal or unethical behavior, usually surreptitious; as, the boss got suspicious when profits seemed lower than expected, and hired an investigator to see if any hankey-pankey was going on. [Informal] [PJC]

3. Extramarital sexual relations, especially adultery. [Colloq.] [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Hanky-panky — The expression hanky panky has more than one meaning, generally used to mean any number of activities of which the speaker does not approve, as in I think there was some hanky panky with the last election. or The kids were up to some hanky panky… …   Wikipedia

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