shenanigan — 1855, of uncertain origin. Earliest records of it are in San Francisco and Sacramento, California, U.S. Suggestions include Sp. chanada, a shortened form of charranada trick, deceit; or, less likely, Ger. Schenigelei, peddler s argot for work,… … Etymology dictionary
shenanigan — ☆ shenanigan [shi nan′i gən ] n. [altered < ? Ir sionnachuighim, I play the fox] Informal 1. [usually pl.] nonsense; trickery; mischief 2. a) a treacherous or deceitful trick b) a playful or mischievous trick 3. usually used in pl … English World dictionary
shenanigan — noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1855 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 … New Collegiate Dictionary
shenanigan — /sheuh nan i geuhn/, n. Informal. 1. Usually, shenanigans. a. mischief; prankishness: Halloween shenanigans. b. deceit; trickery. 2. a mischievous or deceitful trick, practice, etc. [1850 55, Amer.; of obscure orig.] * * * … Universalium
shenanigan — Synonyms and related words: antic, caper, device, fast one, frolic, game, gimmick, goings on, lark, legerdemain, maneuver, mischievousness, monkeyshine, play, ploy, ruse, shines, stratagem, stunt, tomfoolery, trick, whizzer, wile … Moby Thesaurus
Shenanigan — nonsense; deceit; trickery (perhaps from Irish sionnachuighim play tricks) … Dictionary of Australian slang
shenanigan — Australian Slang nonsense; deceit; trickery (perhaps from Irish sionnachuighim play tricks) … English dialects glossary
shenanigan — (Roget s Thesaurus II) noun 1. Informal. An indirect, usually cunning means of gaining an end: artifice, deception, device, dodge, feint, gimmick, imposture, jig, maneuver, ploy, ruse, sleight, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, wile. Informal: take… … English dictionary for students
shenanigan — she·nan·i·gan || ʃɪ nænɪgÉ™n n. trick, prank; mischief … English contemporary dictionary
shenanigan — n Usu. shenanigans Informal. tomfoolery, antics, Sl. monkeyshines, Sl. monkey business; mischief, prankishness, Inf. hanky panky, Scot, and North Eng. daffing; prank, antic, caper, escapade, trick, practical joke, roguish trick, Fr. espieglerie;… … A Note on the Style of the synonym finder
