Definition & Meaning of "twenty-three skidoo"

What is the origin of the idiom "twenty-three skidoo" and when to use it?

The idiom "twenty-three skidoo" was popularized in the early 20th century in the United States. It is believed to have originated in the 1920s, during the Prohibition era, when people would leave a bar or nightclub at 23rd Street in New York City to avoid being caught by the police, who were known to raid establishments serving alcohol after midnight. The phrase "twenty-three skidoo" is thought to have been coined by the bartender at a popular speakeasy on 23rd Street, who would shout "Twenty-three skidoo!" to alert patrons that it was time to leave before the police arrived. Over time, the phrase became a catch-all expression for any situation where someone needed to leave quickly or make a hasty exit. It can be used to describe a sudden departure or a hasty retreat, often without any suggestion of involvement with the police or illegal activities.