If someone tells you to skedaddle, they’re probably not asking you to stick around. The funny-sounding word is a familiar, somewhat old-fashioned way of telling someone to leave, get moving or make a quick getaway.You might hear it in an old Western movie, read it in a children’s book or use it jokingly when it’s time for guests to head home. But where did the word come from, and why has it stuck around for so long?Here’s what to know about the meaning of “skedaddle,” its history and how to use it in a sentence.Related: What Does ‘Bite the Bullet’ Really Mean? The Surprisingly Gritty Story Behind the Phrase
What Does ‘Skedaddle’ Mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, “skedaddle” means “to leave immediately.” It can also refer to running away, fleeing in a panic or making a hasty departure.The word is generally used informally and often has a playful or humorous tone. For example, a parent might tell their children to skedaddle when it’s time for bed, or a shopkeeper might jokingly ask lingering customers to skedaddle before closing time.In other words, if you’re told to skedaddle, it’s time to go!Related: What Is the Smell of Old Books Called?
How Do You Use ‘Skedaddle’ in a Sentence?
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“Skedaddle” is an informal verb, so it’s best suited to casual conversations, humorous exchanges and lighthearted writing. It can be used when someone is leaving voluntarily or when they’re trying to get away from something.
Here are a few examples of how to use the word:
“The kids finished their ice cream and skedaddled off to the playground.” “We’d better skedaddle before the traffic gets any worse.” “The dog grabbed a sandwich off the picnic table and skedaddled before anyone could stop him.” “Once the rain started, everyone skedaddled out of the park.” “The guests finally skedaddled around midnight, leaving the hosts to clean up.”The word can also be used as a noun to describe a hasty departure. For example, someone might describe a person’s sudden exit as a “quick skedaddle.”
Where Did the Word ‘Skedaddle’ Come From?
‘Skedaddle’ became popular in American English during the Civil War (1861–1865). According to World Wide Words, the term first appeared in the New York Tribune in 1861 in a report describing Confederate soldiers fleeing from Union troops: “No sooner did the traitors discover their approach than they ‘skiddaddled’, (a phrase the Union boys up here apply to the good use the seceshers make of their legs in time of danger).”
The word quickly caught on as military slang, with soldiers on both sides using it to describe a hasty retreat. It eventually spread into everyday conversation, where it took on the broader meaning of leaving somewhere in a hurry.
However, the exact origin of the word is still a bit of a mystery. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “probably a fanciful formation,” although some etymologists have suggested a connection to the British dialect word “scaddle,” meaning to run away in fright.
Dictionaries of the Scots Language also documents an older use of skedaddle meaning “to spill in small quantities any liquids.” Its entry includes an 1862 newspaper reference from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, describing someone spilling milk. So while “skedaddle” became popular during the Civil War, its linguistic roots may go back even further.Related: That Song Stuck in Your Head Has a Name—Here’s Why It Happens
What Are Some Synonyms for ‘Skedaddle’?
There are plenty of other ways to tell someone to leave quickly. Depending on the context, these words and phrases can be used in place of “skedaddle”:
Scram: Leave immediately, often because someone wants you gone. Hightail it: Run away or leave somewhere quickly. Make tracks: Get moving or depart. Take off: Leave, often suddenly or quickly. Bolt: Run away suddenly. Flee: Escape from danger or an unwanted situation. Vamoose: Leave quickly, often in a hurry. Clear out: Leave a place, sometimes because you’ve been asked to. Beat it: Go away, often used as a command.While these expressions have slightly different connotations, they all capture the basic idea of making a quick exit.
Is ‘Skedaddle’ Still Used Today?
Although “skedaddle” might sound like something a character in an old Western would say, the word hasn’t disappeared from modern English. It’s still used in casual conversation, particularly when someone wants to make leaving sound a little more playful. Rather than telling someone to go away or hurry up, saying “skedaddle” adds a lighthearted touch to the request.
The word also appears in children’s books, cartoons and older movies, where its distinctive sound makes it a natural fit for humorous dialogue.
It’s not usually something you’d use in formal writing, but it’s a perfectly recognizable English word. And whether you’re telling the kids to skedaddle before dinner or jokingly announcing your own departure from a party, it’s a fun alternative to simply saying goodbye.
Related: What Is It Called When You Can’t Remember a Word That’s on the Tip of Your Tongue?
This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.
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