shenanigan
from Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 1, 2008 is: shenanigan • \shuh-NAN-ih-gun\ • noun 1 : a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose 2 a : tricky or questionable practices or conduct -- usually used in plural b : high-spirited or mischievous activity -- usually used in plural Examples: The CEO resigned amid accusations of financial shenanigans and dubious deals. Did you know? The history of "shenanigan" is as tricky and mischievous as its meaning. Etymologists have some theories about its origins, but no one has been able to prove them. All we can say for certain is that the earliest known use of the word in print appeared in the April 25, 1855, issue of San Francisco's Town Talk. Although the "underhanded trick" sense of the word is oldest, the most common senses in use now are "tricky or questionable practices" (as in "political shenanigans") and "high-spirited behavior" (as in "youthful shenanigans").
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