- Today's Word
Skedaddle
[ski-DAD-l]
Definition
- (verb) To depart or flee quickly, often in a hurried or panicked manner. It implies a hasty retreat or a sudden rush to leave a place, usually to avoid trouble, confrontation, or an unpleasant situation.
Example
When the teacher announced a surprise quiz, the unprepared students skedaddled out of the classroom, making excuses about forgotten books and urgent appointments.
Fun Fact
The word “skedaddle” first appeared in American English around the time of the Civil War, with its exact origin being somewhat disputed. Some linguists believe it might be derived from the Irish word “sgedadol,” meaning to scatter or disperse, which could have been brought to America by Irish immigrants. Others suggest it could be related to the Scottish word “skiddle,” meaning to move quickly or hurriedly. The term gained popularity during the Civil War, where it was often used to describe soldiers fleeing from battle or deserting their posts. After the war, “skedaddle” became a common slang term for any rapid or hasty departure, often with a humorous or lighthearted connotation. Today, it remains a fun and evocative way to describe a quick getaway or a speedy exit from an undesirable situation.
(verb) To criticize someone or something severely and publicly, often with harsh or scathing language.
The columnist excoriated the company’s leadership for ignoring repeated safety warnings.
Excoriate comes from the Latin excoriare, meaning “to strip off the skin,” from ex- (“off”) and corium (“hide” or “skin”). While the word originally described physical abrasion, its meaning shifted metaphorically over time to describe verbal attacks so harsh they feel skin-deep, leaving nothing protected.