skullduggery

American  

[skuhl-duhg-uh-ree] / skʌlˈdʌg ə ri /

Sometimes scullduggery, or skulduggery

noun

plural

skullduggeries

1. dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery.

   They dealt in bribery, graft, and other such skullduggery.

2. an instance of dishonest or deceitful behavior; trick.

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Etymology

Origin of skullduggery

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; variant of sculduddery ( def. ), originally Scots: “fornication, obscenity,” of unknown origin

Example Sentences

What the Bullmers and company should have known is not to bring a crusading journalist aboard a boat where so much skullduggery is on the itinerary, and so many spoilers in the cargo hold.

From The Wall Street Journal

The false front is a bit of skullduggery that harks back to a world where conspiracy to escape detection was a part of everyday life.

From Los Angeles Times

If you allow it to go into the second innings, there could be a little bit of skullduggery.

From BBC

But it comes with all the skullduggery, wheeling and dealing, and conspiracy one would expect, as the frontrunners try to improve their chances of becoming the Vicar of Christ.

From BBC

Many of us like to think we could handle the pressures and skullduggery of being a traitor in the remote Scottish castle.

From BBC