pawky
Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- adjective Shrewd and cunning, often in a humorous manner.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- adjective Arch; humorously sly.
Examples
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But there are records of Antony which represent him as a far more genial and human personage; full of a knowledge of human nature, and of a tenderness and sympathy, which account for his undoubted power over the minds of men; and showing, too, at times, a certain covert and "pawky" humour which puts us in mind, as does the humour of many of the Egyptian hermits, of the old-fashioned Scotch.
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In consequence the movie is visually remarkable as it tries to keep up with the frenetic activities of secret agent Ethan Hunt Tom Cruise accepting an impossible mission for the fourth time and his new trio of likable operatives: beautiful, resourceful Paula Patton, pawky computer wizard Simon Pegg and constantly fretting analyst Jeremy Renner.
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Edwin Gray, head of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, proved unexpectedly pawky in warning of the dangers, but Congress repeatedly refused his pleas for more funds to police the thrifts.
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The Paymaster changed his look and his accent, and spoke again with something of a pawky humour that those who knew him best were well aware was a sign that his temper was at its worst.
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You are developing a certain unexpected vein of pawky humour, Watson, against which I must learn to guard myself.
Note
The word 'pawky' comes from the Scots word 'pawk' ('a trick').
