monkeyshine

[ muhng-kee-shahyn ]
/ ˈmʌŋ kiˌʃaɪn /

noun

Usually monkeyshines. a frivolous or mischievous prank; monkey business.

Origin of monkeyshine

1820–30; monkey + shine1 (in the sense of ‘a foolish prank’)

Example sentences from the Web for monkeyshines

  • Run, then; an' if Job abuses you, just let me know it, an' I'll keep him from cuttin' up any monkeyshines.

    Toby Tyler |James Otis
  • His achievements had won for him a certain respect even from the officers whom he amused with his 49 monkeyshines.

    The Heart of Pinocchio |Collodi Nipote