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hanky-panky

noun
/ˌhæŋkɪˈpæŋki/UK

Etymology

Possibly a corruption of the Romani expression hakk'ni panki ("great trick", "big con" and hence "shady dealings").

Definitions

  1. Mischievous behaviour, dishonest or shady activity.

    • I think there was some hanky-panky with the last election.
    • Are you sickened by the idea of more and more CIA hankypanky in Central America?

  2. Amorous behaviour, smooching, making out, necking, sex or other sexual activity,…

    Amorous behaviour, smooching, making out, necking, sex or other sexual activity, especially if illicit.

    • I don't wanna cry / I just wanna hanky panky / Nothing like a good spanky
    • You're my doll, rock and roll, feel the glamor in pink / Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky-panky

  3. A debaucherous act

    A debaucherous act; a sexual act that is considered inappropriate.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for hanky-panky. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA