shenanigan
Americannoun
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Usually shenanigans.
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mischief; prankishness.
Halloween shenanigans.
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deceit; trickery.
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a mischievous or deceitful trick, practice, etc.
noun
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(usually plural) roguishness; mischief
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an act of treachery; deception
Etymology
Origin of shenanigan
An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; of obscure origin
Explanation
Ever been ripped off at three card monte or some other con? Well, you're the victim of a shenanigan, a clever form of deception, usually designed to part the unwary from their money. Not all shenanigans are financially motivated; an equally popular meaning is simply high spirits or boisterous behavior that might upset or annoy others, though usually not with any serious intent. It seems to be a word frequently applied to the Irish, with their established love of the high-spirited and artful ploy, and in fact may well come from the ancient Irish word sionnach, meaning "fox" — a traditionally sly beast.
Vocabulary lists containing shenanigan
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 3
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Maniac Magee
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Because of Mr. Terupt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some of the shenanigan plot lines go too far afield, but they’re saved by the show’s emotional grounding and perfect casting, its sense of intimacy and realism.
From New York Times • Aug. 25, 2022
Also, why isn’t the plural of shenanigan shenaniga?
From The Guardian • Sep. 16, 2020
After he was placed in jail following that latest shenanigan, it seemed as though there might be less opportunity for Manafort to embarrass himself through easily discovered efforts to monkey with his case.
From Slate • Jul. 11, 2018
We’re there in the forests and the boardrooms for each technological breakthrough, financial innovation and political shenanigan as Duke & Sons clear-cuts its way to a lucrative future.
From Washington Post • Jun. 6, 2016
Ye can be as friendly with us as tho we was your brothers, but ye don't want to try any shenanigan trick like dodgin' away.
From The Rainy Day Railroad War by Day, Holman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
