Theatrical adaptation, 'The Only Way,' an old woman sits at the foot of the guillotine,Ĭalmly counting heads as they are lopped off. 23 of a multitude executed by the guillotine. ![]() In Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities, Sidney Carton is Here are a few theories as to how '23' and 'skidoo originated' - there are others:ġ. 'Skiddoo' is another slang term, also originating around the same time and place, meaning much the same as 'skedaddle', that is, 'leave', 'depart', 'get out of here'. But I do know that 'twenty-three' is now a part of the slangy boy’s vocabulary." I don’t vouch for either of these explanations. The plan was tried and it failed, but 'twenty-three' came into local use as meaning 'Get away, quick!' and in time it spread to other cities. They were to separate the officer from the prisoner and then, when one of them shouted 'Twenty-three,' the crowd was to scatter in all directions, and the prisoner was to run back through the corridor, on the chance that the officer would be too confused to follow the right man. Several of his friends planned to close in upon the police officer prisoner as they were passing in front of a business block which had a wide corridor running through to another block. Another student of slang said the expression originated in New Orleans at the time an attempt was made to rescue a Mexican embezzler who had been arrested there and was to be taken back to his own country. It was a signal to run, a synonym for the Bowery boy’s 'On your way!'. But his theory was that 'twenty-three' means that there was no longer any reason for waiting at the post. I don’t know that twenty-three is the limit. In his opinion it came from the English race tracks, twenty-three being the limit on the number of horses allowed to start in one race. He said it was a signal to clear out, run, get away. I happened to meet a man who tries to 'keep up' on slang and I asked the meaning of 'Twenty-three!'. I could see that the beggar didn’t understand it any better than I did. The man looked at the beggar in cold disgust and said: 'Aw, twenty-three!'. A few days after that I saw a street beggar approach a well-dressed man, who might have been a bookmaker or horseman, and try for the unusual 'touch'. The small boy scowled and talked under his breath, but he moved away. When the big boy saw the small one he went at him in a threatening manner and said: 'Here! Here! Twenty-three! Twenty-three!'. A small boy with several papers under his arm had edged up until he was trespassing on the territory of the other. I just heard it from a big newsboy who had a 'stand' on a corner. "By the way, I have come upon a new piece of slang within the past two months and it has puzzled me. This story appeared in an October 1899 edition of The Washington Post: In 1899, George Ade explained the slang term "twenty-three". In fact it hasn't travelled much outside the USA since then. It seems that '23' originated as a fad term in the USA in the early 20th century. There are numerous competing theories which is a sure sign of doubt. It isn't certain how '23-skidoo' (or skiddoo) originated. No one will know what you are talking about. US tourists, don't try using this in the UK. What's the origin of the phrase 'Twenty three skidoo'? Numbers What's the meaning of the phrase 'Twenty three skidoo'?.These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skedaddle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 2017 After the car rolled backwards into the street, the two guys inside the car skedaddled. ![]() Smith Henderson, Popular Mechanics, 11 Jan. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 9 June 2019 Ron's wife, Jan, wanted to pack up and be ready to skedaddle. ![]() Cheryl Hall, Dallas News, 13 July 2019 At a news conference on Tuesday-three days before British Prime Minister Theresa May was set to skedaddle off the world stage forever-the president questioned whether anyone was less than thrilled at his presence. Ford had skedaddled, leaving Perot and Dawkins to face the music. SI.com, 25 July 2019 Somewhere in the midst of all this, the Rev. 2020 Arsenal have officially confirmed the capture of St Etienne centre back William Saliba, with the Frenchman putting pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Emirates before skedaddling straight back to the Ligue 1 side on loan for 2019/20. 2022 Sedan drivers skedaddle like frightened children when this Ranger fills their mirrors. Peter Debruge, Variety, The tree totters, ornaments go flying, and cats skedaddle in this sing-along picture book for children ages 3 and older and their families. Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile back at the ranch, Silva tells his son to skedaddle, but not before Jake shows up and tries to arrest him.
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