General
skedaddle
What does skedaddle mean?
To flee quickly or clear out fast. Often an urging: "y'all better skedaddle."
"When the rain hit, we skedaddled for the truck."
Origin
American Civil War slang, popularized 1861 for troops fleeing the field; origin obscure, perhaps from a British dialect word meaning to scatter or spill.
Frequently asked questions
What does skedaddle mean?
Skedaddle means to run off or leave in a hurry, to flee quickly or clear out fast.
How do you use skedaddle?
It's often an urging to leave, as in 'y'all better skedaddle,' or a description of fleeing, as in 'we skedaddled for the truck.'
Where does skedaddle come from?
It's American Civil War slang popularized in 1861 for troops fleeing the field; the exact origin is obscure, perhaps from a British dialect word for scattering.
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