What does "hinckey" mean?

[Ladewig]

I can't seem to find it in any slang dictionary.

 

[RSLancastr]

It is more often spelled hinky, and according to the link above, means

Something that is out of whack, just a bit off, wrong, confused, suspect.

e.g., "His directions were a bit hinky, no?" "That milk taste hinky to you?"

 

[lofgoernost]

There's a film where one character keeps using this term and gets razzed by his buddies for it, but I can't remember what it was. Maybe "Swingers". That's the only time I recall hearing it used.

 

[Bikewer]

common cop jargon. "he looks hinky..."

 

[RSLancastr]

common cop jargon. "he looks hinky..."

Yup. Especially hard-boiled detectives.

One of the slang dictionaries and glossaries I found it in was Twists, Slugs and Roscoes: A Glossary of Hardboiled Slang, which defines it as "suspicious."

 

[Ladewig]

Yes, all that makes sense. I can't understand whay I didn't consider different spellings. Perhaps I was too stuck on Hinckley, who was of course, rather hinky.

 

[Mahatma Kane Jeeves]

There's a film where one character keeps using this term and gets razzed by his buddies for it, but I can't remember what it was. Maybe "Swingers". That's the only time I recall hearing it used.

The Fugitive

Marshal Biggs: It's hinky, Sam. I mean, this guy is a college graduate. He became a doctor. I mean, he ain't gonna go through here with all this security. Hinky.
Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard: Biggs, what does that mean, hinky?
Marshal Biggs: I don't know. Strange. Weird
Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard: Well, why don't you say strange or weird? I mean hinky, that has no meaning.
Marshal Biggs: Well, we say hinky.
Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard: I don't want you guys using words with no meaning.

 

[lofgoernost]

Mahatma, fantastic! That's the one.

 

[DrMatt]

And the bit about the donuts with the sprinkles on them was the point in the movie where I laughed out loud.