Word Study
hankey-pank
CIDE DICTIONARY
hankey-pank, n. [Cf. Hocus-pocus.].
- Professional cant; the chatter of conjurers to divert attention from their tricks; hence, jugglery. [1913 Webster]
- Illegal or unethical behavior, usually surreptitious; as, the boss got suspicious when profits seemed lower than expected, and hired an investigator to see if any hankey-pankey was going on. [PJC]
- Extramarital sexual relations, especially adultery. [PJC]
For further exploring for "hankey-pank" in Webster Dictionary Online