hanky-panky Hear it!

hanky-panky definition

hanky-panky (haŋ′kē paŋ′kē)

noun

Informal trickery or deception, orig. as used in tricks of illusion or sleight of hand, now esp. in connection with shady dealings or illicit sexual activity

Etymology: altered ? after (sleight of) hand < hocus-pocus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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