Skulduggery (1856)

[Douglas G. Wilson]

I'm still not sure about the etymology. I have several examples from 1859.
Here's one from earlier, from Nebraska Territory: no apparent interval
change in meaning. From Newspaperarchive.com.

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"New York Daily Times", 16 Feb. 1856: p. 2, cols. 3-4:

"Passage of a Bill in the Nebraska Legislature Permitting Women to Vote
..." (correspondence, 25 Jan.):

<<... push [a]long the ball of people's rights and opposition to official
skulduggery wherever it shows its hydra head.">>

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-- Doug Wilson