skedaddler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ArchaicVery informal, humorous, dated
Quick answer
What does “skedaddler” mean?
A person who runs away or flees hastily, especially from a situation of danger, duty, or difficulty.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who runs away or flees hastily, especially from a situation of danger, duty, or difficulty.
Informally, someone who leaves a place or abandons a commitment in a hurried, often cowardly, or disorderly fashion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word originates from American English during the Civil War era, though it saw some subsequent use in British English. Its historical roots are stronger in AmE.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is humorous and old-fashioned. May evoke images of cowboys, soldiers, or cartoon characters fleeing comically.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both varieties, found mostly in historical contexts, humorous writing, or deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “skedaddler” in a Sentence
Skedaddler from + [place/situation]Skedaddler of + [war/battle/obligation]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skedaddler” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The children skedaddled when they saw the headmaster approaching.
American English
- As soon as the siren sounded, everyone skedaddled for the cellar.
adverb
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
American English
- (No standard adjectival form. 'Skedaddling' is a participle.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly unlikely, except in extremely informal, jocular reference to someone who quits abruptly.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic studies discussing 19th-century American vernacular.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation. If used, it's for humorous or ironic effect.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skedaddler”
- Spelling: 'skedaddler' (correct) vs. 'skedaler' or 'skedaddeler'.
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Assuming it is a common modern word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a legitimate, though now rare and archaic, word derived from the verb 'skedaddle', meaning to flee hastily.
Its peak usage was in the mid-to-late 19th century, particularly in American English around the time of the Civil War.
No, it is considered very informal, humorous, and dated. Use a more standard term like 'deserter', 'fugitive', or 'absconder' instead.
A 'deserter' is a specific, often legal, term for someone who leaves military duty. A 'skedaddler' is a broader, more colourful term for anyone who flees any situation hastily and can imply a more comical or panicked flight.
A person who runs away or flees hastily, especially from a situation of danger, duty, or difficulty.
Skedaddler: in British English it is pronounced /skɪˈdæd.lər/, and in American English it is pronounced /skəˈdæd.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “show a clean pair of heels (idiom with similar concept of fleeing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SCARED toddler (ske-daddle-r) running away in a panic from a barking dog. The sound of the word mimics the patter of fleeing feet.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEAVING IS FLEEING IN DISARRAY / DUTY IS A BATTLEFIELD (from which one flees).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'skedaddler' MOST likely to be used appropriately today?