hanky-panky

hanky-panky

See also: hanky panky

English

Alternative forms

• hanky panky

Etymology

Possibly a corruption of the Romani expression hakk'ni panki ("great trick", "big con" and hence "shady dealings").[1]

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhæn.kiːˌpæn.kiː/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

hanky-panky (uncountable)

1. Mischievous behaviour, dishonest or shady activity.

   I think there was some hanky-panky with the last election.

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

   Synonyms: roll in the hay; see also Thesaurus:copulation

   • 1990, “Hanky Panky”, in I'm Breathless, performed by Madonna:

     I don't wanna cry / I just wanna hanky panky / Nothing like a good spanky

   • 1997, “Barbie Girl”, in Aquarium, performed by Aqua:

     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 sexual act that is considered inappropriate.

Translations

mischievous behaviour, dishonest or shady activity

Bulgarian: шмекерия (bg) f (šmekerija) German: fauler (de) Zauber (de) m, Schwindel (de) m, Hokuspokus (de) m, Mauschelei f, Mauscheleien pl or f, Trick (de) m, Tricks (de) pl or m, Taschenspielertrick (de) m, Taschenspielertricks (de) pl or m

amorous behaviour, smooching, making out, necking, sexual intercourse or other sexual activity

Bulgarian: задявка (bg) f (zadjavka) French: galipettes (fr) f pl German: Techtelmechtel (de) n, Knutscherei f, Gefummel n, Fummeln n

a debaucherous act; a sexual act that is considered inappropriate

German: Ausschweifung (de) f, Sittenlosigkeit f

References

1. William Lindsay Gresham, Monster Midway, a book about circus life and side-shows (published by Victor Gollancz Ltd, London, 1954); some of the chapters in this book appeared as articles in the following magazines: Collier's Weekly, Life, Esquire, True, and The American Weekly. Reference copied from Hokkani boro.