hanky-panky

[ hang-kee-pang-kee ]

/ ˈhæŋ kiˈpæŋ ki /

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.

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

Meanwhile, What Kind of Hanky-Panky Is Going on Over at the Department of Health and Human Services?

Up to a Point: PJ on Sochi Stray Dog Stew and 1-800-F*CKYOU |P. J. O’Rourke |February 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Those who are fasting must abstain from eating, drinking (even water), smoking, and hanky-panky of any sorts.

First Friday of Ramadan For Palestinians |Maysoon Zayid |July 12, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
I remember being shocked not by the explicit carnality but by the confusion and hanky-panky, and the unhappiness.

My Conversation with John Updike |Barbara Probst Solomon |January 29, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Did he sing anything about somebody's bein' his darlin' hanky-panky and wearin' a number two?

The Portygee |Joseph Crosby Lincoln

I'll put up with no hanky-panky work from Mrs. Cummers Portheris, my dear—and well she knows it!'

An American Girl in London |Sara Jeannette Duncan
Some hanky-panky with regimental money; every one knows how India plays the devil with a man's sense of right and wrong.

Alone |Norman Douglas
These scientists have worked miracles before which those of the ancient priests and magicians are mere tricks of hanky-panky.

God and my Neighbour |Robert Blatchford
He had no idea I wasn't interested in his other hanky-panky, but could tell I had had a low blow.

The Misplaced Battleship |Harry Harrison (AKA Henry Maxwell Dempsey)

hanky-panky

/ (ˈhæŋkɪˈpæŋkɪ) /

dubious or suspicious behaviour

foolish behaviour or talk

illicit sexual relations

C19: variant of hocus-pocus