hanky-panky

or han·key-pan·key

[ hang-kee-pang-kee ]

noun

, Informal.

1. unethical behavior; deceit:

   When the bank teller bought an expensive car and house, they suspected there might be some hanky-panky going on.

2. illicit sexual relations.

hanky-panky

/ ˈhæŋkɪˈpæŋkɪ /

noun

1. dubious or suspicious behaviour
2. foolish behaviour or talk
3. illicit sexual relations

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanky-panky¹

1835–45; rhyming compound; compare initial h, p of higgledy-piggledy, hocus-pocus, hodgepodge ( def ), etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanky-panky¹

C19: variant of hocus-pocus