hinky

Definition

Acting suspiciously; strange, unusual; acting in a manner as if having something to hide, or seemingly crooked.

Etymology

Possibly from obsolete Scots hink, from Old Norse hinka (“to limp or hobble”), probably not from Old English inca (“doubt; suspicion”). Possibly from hank (“a loop or coil or anything that curbs or restrains”). Possibly from African-American usage: hincty or hinkty.

Example Sentences

• "I thought he might be acting hinky."
• "There's nothing hinky about this."
• "1993 Jeb Stuart & David Touhy, The Fugitive, imdb.com, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106977/quotes This is hinky, this guy's a college graduate..."