The Alphabet Series
New Thoughts on Words
H is for hanky panky, two words joined by alliteration, not meaning. We hear the lyrics of Tommy James and the Shondells, “My baby does the hanky panky”, and picture a couple making out in a 1966 Mustang convertible. There is a mischievous fooling around atmosphere and know the girl is easy.
But what is hanky panky?
Webster’s (Standard Reference Works Publishing Co. 1956) definition; The meaningless professional talk of a juggler or magician, jugglery or legerdemain.
Sounds like politicians talking about the sequestration.
The term hanky panky is sighted in the first edition of ‘Punch‘ magazine Volume 1 September 1841. In London court, a con-man said to the judge,
“Only a little hanky-panky, my lud. The people likes it; they loves to be cheated before their faces. One, two, three-presto-begone. I’ll show your ludship as pretty a trick of putting a piece of money in your eye and taking it from your elbow, as you ever beheld.”
A later reference is from George Bernhard Shaw’s Geneva, 1939:
She: No hanky panky. I am respectable; and I mean to keep respectable.
He: I pledge you my word that my intentions are completely honorable.
Hanky panky defined as unethical, and referenced as Hocus Pocus or Hokey Pokey, grew in popularity when sexy and illicit acts were included.
It was playful and I recall teaching kindergartners the hokey pokey to practice eye hand coordination skills.
The closest we can get to that ridiculous fun for all is the Harlem Shake.
Google Hanky Panky and you will discover many companies sell lingerie and naughty items, but only one company makes the lace.
Klauber Brothers is a sixth generation family business and creators of an exclusive Signature Lace for Hanky Panky, a leader in intimate apparel.
The Klauber family was lucky to escape the treacherous trickery that forced them to surrender their business and never considered they would be in the hanky panky business. They fled Nazis Germany on the SS Manhattan. It was the last boat to America in 1939.
Their story and craftmanship adds sobering thoughts to hanky panky, but I still hear lyrics in my head and think about a randition of the Harlem Shake, me mouthing the words…My baby does the hanky panky. I saw her walkin’ on down the line You know I saw her for the very first time A pretty little girl standin’ all alone “Hey pretty baby, can I take you home?”
…just saying
That was an interesting and fun history of where the term Hanky Panky came from and how it has evolved. 🙂
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Words are interesting just saying hanky panky makes me giggle, Claudia
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Ha! Thanks for the giggle, Claudia! 🙂
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Deb, That Laughter Club is sounding better and better, just have to stay in town. Be Well, Claujdia
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It’s amazing how this term has changed from the original. I agree with you completely on your brief comment about politicians.
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Glynis, Don’t even to there. Claudia
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Very clever and informative girlfriend but I’m partial to “the stupidest word in the history of man made to describe promiscuity” definition! But to be sure, both the word and the definitions produce giggles.
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Thanks for the heads up. Promiscuity – indiscriminate mingling, not restricted to one class. Well that was once upon a time, LOL
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Gorgeous shoes and oh so perfect for hanky panky! Great post!
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Love them yes, but can only dream about walking in them. Thanks for commenting, Claudia
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Ha! Very interesting! 😀
And LOVIN’ those shoes!
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Always loved that song…It was definitely the defining moment for those two words. Thanks for the memories and further definition.
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