Dodgeries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Sneaky tricks used to deceive or avoid the truth ; acts of deliberate dishonesty ; clever ways to escape detection or responsibility
2. Artful schemes meant to mislead others ; instances of intentional trickery ; cunning ploys to evade being caught or blamed
3. Crafty maneuvers for the purpose of fooling someone ; examples of calculated deception ; sly tactics to dodge accountability

Etymology: The noun in question appears to be a plural form derived from "dodgery," a somewhat rare English term. Its origins trace back to the 19th century, emerging as a colloquial or dialectal formation. The base "dodgery" likely evolved as a playful or informal extension of the verb "dodge," which means to evade or shirk something. "Dodge" itself has roots in the late Middle English period, possibly from the Old English verb "docian," meaning to move quickly or evade, though its exact lineage is somewhat uncertain. By adding the suffix "-ery," which often denotes a practice, characteristic, or collection related to a root word, "dodgery" came to signify acts of evasion, trickery, or sly behavior collectively. In plural form, the word conveys multiple instances or examples of such evasive or cunning actions, often with a slightly negative or mischievous connotation. The suffix "-ies" indicates the word has been fully naturalized as a countable noun, referring to various dodges or deceptions. While not common in mainstream English, this word reflects the linguistic tendency to form nouns that capture patterns of behavior or repeated acts from verbs, especially those with a vivid, physical sense like "dodge." The playful sound and formation suggest it may have been used in informal speech or regional dialects to describe a series of tricky maneuvers or evasions.