Question of the Day #81

"Such Is the Human Race: Missing Twain In the Era of Trumpian Skullduggery"
The title from this article at Common Dreams.

上記の文で、skullduggeryの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "skullduggery" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


不正（行為）

スペルは、skullduggeryでもskulduggeryでも構いません。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; also :  a devious device or trick

Etymology/語源

Dictionary.comによると、

1705-1715年ごろの米英語。スコットランド語のsculduddery（姦淫、わいせつ（なもの））の変形。

According to Dictionary.com:

1705-15, Americanism; variant of sculduddery, orig. Scots: fornication, obscenity

Examples

• But the hyperactive Sarkozy is hypersensitive to these oft-repeated allegations of skullduggery.
• He would be cagey enough to stay ignorant of any overt strife or any other skullduggery that could be laid at his door.
• After a little conversation to assure themselves that there was no skullduggery afoot, the truckers consented.
• ‘a firm that investigates commercial skulduggery’