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Oxford English Dictionary said this: "The earliest known use of the noun skulduggery is in the 1860s.
OED's earliest evidence for skulduggery is from 1867, in the writing of Albert Deane Richardson."
ChatGPT: The word *skullduggery* originally comes from the Scottish term *sculduddery,* used in the early 18th century to describe vulgar or bawdy behavior, often in the context of indecency or improper actions. Over time, its meaning broadened to represent underhanded or deceitful actions, eventually encompassing a wide array of dishonest or deceptive dealings.
The word likely evolved from Scottish dialects, capturing behaviors seen as sneaky or immoral. By the mid-19th century, *skullduggery* became widely used in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where it signified fraud, trickery, or deceit, especially in business or politics. 2 replies
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