What is calling shenanigans

Everyone seems to agree that a shenanigan, or the more common plural form — shenanigans, is a devious trick, a deceit, an underhanded or questionable practice. The use of the word dates back to the s in Sacramento, California where it first showed up in print. Murky still is the origin of the word — and believe me there are strong opinions about it. I lean toward thinking the origin is Irish. The Irish words for fox, sionnach, and to play tricks, sionnachuighm, have further convinced me that shenanigans is Irish in source.

California was awash with Irish railroad workers in the s, so as a person of Irish decent, I claim shenanigans as part of my culture heritage. And I have known plenty of shenanigans within and without my family. I first heard of calling shenanigans in the s from my teenager and his friends.

They knew better than to call bullshit in the house with me around. Calling shenanigans signals that the speaker doubts the truth, the integrity of what has just been said or done. Generally speaking, shenanigans refers to mischievous, unruly, perhaps somewhat disruptive behaviour.

There should be neither a sense of malice on the part of the perpetrator of the shenanigans, nor of real condemnation on the part of the speaker. It may have been rehabilitated from an originally rather criminal and disreputable meaning by simple euphony. Edit: Taking into account the number of pseudo-Irish pubs and apparently-Celtic musicians that choose to use shenanigan, or shenanigans, as their name, you might assume this is an Irish word.

It might be, but no-one seems able to produce enough evidence to convict. Incidentally, that extensive usage reinforces the more whimsical aspect of the definition. I mean, there aren't many pubs or music groups called Arson, Assault, Blackmail or Burglary.

Southern AE greatly modified by a 1st-generation Scottish-American mother, and growing up abroad. Note: It's in the disclaimer all the way at the bottom of each page.

Goddaughter Member Russia. Hello, could someone, please, explain me the meaning of the phrase 'I'm calling shenanigans!

Could someone explain that? No, not without context -- which is also required by the forum rules. Oh, lord. What is the context? They didn't invent the word "shenanigans" itself, which can mean a sneaky or underhanded trick, sometimes with malicious intent, or can simply describe unruly or mischievous behavior.

Last edited: Oct 3, Sorry, but I have no context. I heard it from a friend, who likes "Southpark" and probably took the phrase from it I couldn't imagine that it would be of any importance. He can't explain anything, as he doesn't understand it himself. Perhaps, I should watch the show to find out the truth.

Thank you, anyway. Callsigns are traditionally regulated by the flightsuits, the self described militant wing of the Engineers at Carleton. Callsigns is also a drinking game where the participants must remember the action and callsign of the person before and after them in sequence, with varying difficulties as the "level" of the game increases.

Don't bother me with your petty bullshit. I don't give a wrinkled rat's ass.