Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Skedaddle

Ske-dad′dle

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Skedaddled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Skedaddling
.]
[Of uncertain etymology.]
To betake one’s self to flight, as if in a panic; to flee; to run away.
[Slang, U. S.]

Definition 2024

skedaddle

skedaddle

English

Verb

skedaddle ‎(third-person singular simple present skedaddles, present participle skedaddling, simple past and past participle skedaddled)

  1. To move or run away quickly.
    The sheep skedaddled as soon as the shepherd’s dog came near.

Synonyms

Translations

See also

  • Appendix:Fanciful 19th century American coinages

References

  • 1897 Hunter, Robert, and Charles Morris (editors), Universal Dictionary of the English Language, v4, p4291: "Etym. doubtful; perhaps allied to scud. To betake one's self hurriedly to flight; to run away as in a panic; to fly in terror. (A word of American origin.)"
  • “Skedaddle”, World Wide Words, Michael Quinion, 7 Feb. 2004.

Etymology

19th century US. Probably an alteration of British dialect scaddle ‎(“to run off in a fright”), from the adjective scaddle ‎(“wild, timid, skittish”), from Middle English scathel, skadylle ‎(“harmful, fierce, wild”), of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skaði ‎(“harm”). Possibly related to the Greek σκέδασις ‎(skédasis, “scattering”), σκεδασμός ‎(skedasmós, “dispersion”). (US) Possibly related to scud or scat.

Pronunciation

Similar Results