Monkeyshine
/ˈmʌŋ.ki.ʃaɪn/noun
A mischievous or playful trick; a prank.
Did you know?The term 'Monkeyshine' originally referred to the playful antics of monkeys, often seen as playful spirits or tricksters in various cultures.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
English
Monkeyshine
“A term describing the whimsical and playful antics of monkeys.”
Old French
Old French
moneke
“Referring to a monkey or similar playful creature.”
Middle English
Middle English
monke
“Derived from Latin 'monachus', meaning 'monk', humorously linked to the monkey's antics.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*monḱ-
“A root meaning 'to warn' or 'to indicate', hinting at the mischievous warnings of playful creatures.”