wake pfp
wake
@wake.eth
well, at least fragile men are learning cool new words like 'skullduggery' lol
50 replies
49 recasts
154 reactions

Kristin Piljay ツ pfp
Kristin Piljay ツ
@kristinpiljay
ooh, that's a great word. I've always been a fan of linguistics and this has a pirate-y feel. Definitely thought it would originate in the British Isles and indeed it's of Scottish origin, but became wildly used in the US. (I wonder if because it was needed a lot - LOL).
1 reply
0 recast
2 reactions

wake pfp
wake
@wake.eth
what is the etymology?
1 reply
0 recast
1 reaction

Kristin Piljay ツ pfp
Kristin Piljay ツ
@kristinpiljay
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
0 recast
2 reactions