Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals; characterized by deceit or trickery. Can also mean departing from an established course or taking an indirect route.
From Latin 'devius,' from 'de-' (away from) and 'via' (road, way). Originally meant 'off the road' or straying from the path, which evolved to mean morally straying from honest behavior.
Devious people take a 'deviant via' - they go off the straight and narrow path ('via' means road) and find sneaky, roundabout ways to get what they want. They're always taking moral detours!
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