Jiggery-Pokery
/ˌdʒɪɡəri ˈpəʊkəri/noun
Deceitful, dishonest, or underhand behavior.
Did you know?The expression is probably a rhyming expansion of Scots “joukery-pawkery,” combining words associated with evasive movement and sly cunning rather than genuine magic.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
Scots
joukery-pawkery
“Underhand dealing or sly trickery; an earlier form recorded in Scots usage.”
18th Century
Scots
jouk
“To dodge, evade, or move stealthily; related to the idea of avoiding direct notice.”
18th Century
Scots
pawk / pawky
“A trick or display of sly, crafty behavior; “pawky” meant shrewd or cunning.”
19th Century
English
jiggery-pokery
“A playful-sounding English alteration of the earlier Scots expression, retaining the sense of dishonest manipulation.”
1855
English
jiggery-pokery
“Attested in English with the meaning “trickery” or “underhand conduct.””
Modern English
English
jiggery-pokery
“Deceitful maneuvering, dubious methods, or suspicious procedural manipulation.”