A correspondent says: The word "skedaddle" is not derived from the Greek verb Skedao, to scatter, as has been recently asserted by certain learned etymologists. The root of Skedaddle" is found in the Gaelic, Celtic, and the ancient British or Welsh language. In Gaelic, Sgiotadh"is the present participle from the verb Sgiot," and signifies scattering," the act of scattering. In the Irish, which is, properly speaking, the Gaelic, Sgadad" signifies "flight," and Uile," or Ol," all, or entirely all flight." In the Welsh we have Ysgudao," or "Ysgudaw," to scud about. So, also, in the Scandinavian languages ; in the Swedish we have Skuddo," to throw or put out; Sceotan," Saxon, to flee or haste away; in a general sense, to be driven, or to flee with haste. Skedaddle" might be derived more naturally from "Skud," or Scud," and Daddle," than from the Greek Skedao."
Skedaddle To run away, to be scattered in rout. The Scotch apply the word to the milk spilt over the pail in carrying it. During the late American war, the New York papers said the Southern forces were skedaddled by the Federals. (Saxon, scedan, to pour out; Chaldee, scheda; Greek, skeda'o, to scatter.) The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable by E. Cobham Brewer; 1894
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