skulduggery

Pronunciation

• IPA: /skʌlˈdʌɡəɹi/, /skʌlˈdʌɡɹi/ (UK); /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəɹi/, /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡɹi/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

Of unknown origin.^[2] It is apparently an alteration of Scots sculduddery “obscenity, unchastity”,^[3][4] and earlier sculdudrie “adultery” (1713), a euphemism of uncertain origin.^[3] Random House dates the word to the early 18th century and marks it as American.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first meant underhand dealing, roguish intrigue or trickery.^[3][5]

Semantic evolution

The sense moved from the Scots one of sexual impropriety to dishonest scheming in general,^[3][4] and it can also denote a single trick.^[4][1]

Timeline

• 1713 – Scots sculdudrie.^[3]
• 1856 – skulduggery, according to Etymonline;^[3] Merriam-Webster and the OED date it 1867.^[2][5]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. Underhand or dishonest behaviour; trickery.
2. A dishonest trick.

References

1. [1] [2] Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. [1] [2] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
3. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. [1] [2] [3] [4] Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
5. [1] [2] Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press