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shenanigan - 3 dictionary results

she⋅nan⋅i⋅gan

  [shuh-nan-i-guhn]
Use shenanigan in a Sentence
–noun Informal.
1. Usually, shenanigans.
a. mischief; prankishness: Halloween shenanigans.
b. deceit; trickery.
2. a mischievous or deceitful trick, practice, etc.
Origin:
1850–55, Americanism; of obscure orig.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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she·nan·i·gan   (shə-nān'ĭ-gən)   
n.   Informal
    1. A deceitful trick; an underhanded act.
    2. Remarks intended to deceive; deceit. Often used in the plural.
    3. A playful or mischievous act; a prank.
    4. Mischief; prankishness. Often used in the plural.
    1. A playful or mischievous act; a prank.
    2. Mischief; prankishness. Often used in the plural.

[Origin unknown.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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shenanigan 
1855, of uncertain origin. Earliest records of it are in San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif. Suggestions include Sp. chanada, a shortened form of charranada "trick, deceit," or, less likely, Ger. Schenigelei, peddler's argot for "work, craft," or the related Ger. slang verb schinäglen. Another guess centers on Ir. sionnach "fox."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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