hanky-panky

Also han·ky pank
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