hanky-panky

or han·key-pan·key

[ hang-kee-pang-kee ]
/ ˈhæŋ kiˈpæŋ ki /

noun Informal.

unethical behavior; deceit: When the bank teller bought an expensive car and house, they suspected there might be some hanky-panky going on.
illicit sexual relations.
Also han·ky pank.

Origin of hanky-panky

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

Words nearby hanky-panky

hankering, hankou, hankow, hanks, hanky, hanky-panky, hanna, hannah, hannibal, hanno, hannover

British Dictionary definitions for hanky-pank

hanky-panky
/ (ˈhæŋkɪˈpæŋkɪ) /

noun informal

dubious or suspicious behaviour
foolish behaviour or talk
illicit sexual relations

Word Origin for hanky-panky

C19: variant of hocus-pocus