Chicanery comes from the French word chicanerie, meaning “quibbling” or “petty trickery.” In English, it has been used since the late 18th century to describe trickery or deception that involves the use of sophistry or legalistic arguments. Chicanery is often associated with politics or business, and is sometimes used to describe dishonest or unethical behavior. Today, chicanery remains a commonly used word in English, and is often used in the context of debates, negotiations, or legal proceedings.