jiggery-pokery

noun

jig·​gery-pok·​ery ˈji-gər-ē-ˈpō-kər-ē 

: underhanded manipulation or dealings : trickery

Synonyms

• deception
• trickery
• chicanery
• skullduggery
• subterfuge
• treachery
• jugglery
• skulduggery
• gamesmanship
• deceptiveness
• legerdemain
• artfulness
• stealth
• secrecy
• cunning
• chicane

Examples of jiggery-pokery in a Sentence

the judge ordered the corporation to hand over all records, with no jiggery-pokery about unexpected problems and missing information

Recent Examples on the Web

The point is that the Constitution says that Congress has the sole power to decide what the country spends on, and with a bit of jiggery-pokery, this court let all the air out of those words. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of Scots joukery-pawkery, from jouk to dodge, cheat + pawk trick, wile

First Known Use

circa 1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jiggery-pokery

• crockery
• mockery
• rockery