shenanigins

[Rallyman2]

my mum used to say "and what shenanigins have you been up to" meaning trouble - any ideas on the origin of this word - i feel it comes from a similar source as the hoolahans (hooligans) - forgive the spelling, not my strong point

[Quizmonster]

The origin is 'unknown' according to Chambers Dictionary. <The Oxford English Dictionary actually says 'obscure' but doesn't really elaborate.

[fredpuli47]

It has an Irish Gaelic sound to it . Hooligan is Irish, in that it is said to come from the surname of a rowdy Irish family in a music hall song , and a cartoon character [OED]

[ladyalex]

This website reckons it is american.

http://www.word-detective.com/102805.html#shen anigans

[Quizmonster]

Irish? Spanish? Cornish? The plain fact is that nobody knows the origin!