How did a handkerchief (hanky) become the meaning of hanky-panky

Answer (1 of 5): I’ve never been convinced by the supposed derivations of this expression. I’d speculate that it has origins in the use of handkerchiefs for sending messages. (Rather in the manner that ladies used fans.) A whole hidden ‘language’ existed for flirtation via handkerchief. (A few ex

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Hanky Panky Project Gutenberg

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Are hankies or handkerchiefs still commonly used? They are rather

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Dion Neckwear Ltd.

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Hanky Panky Project Gutenberg

From where does the term 'Hanky Panky' come? - Quora