What it means
To play hooky means to skip school or work without permission so you can go do something you'd rather be doing. It's got a cheeky, sneaky little vibe to it, like you're ducking responsibility for a day and hoping nobody notices till you're already halfway to fun.
Usage examples
"I’m playing hooky on Friday, told my boss I’ve got a dentist appointment, but really I’m catching the early game with the guys."
"My kids played hooky on Friday because the weather was perfect for the beach."
"I told my boss I was sick but I really played hooky to go fishing at the lake."
"We played hooky senior year and drove out to the lake instead of sitting through first period."
"He's not sick at all, he's just playing hooky so he can catch the afternoon game."
Where it comes from
Mid-19th-century American slang of obscure etymology, possibly from "hookey-walker" (a 19th-century street cry of mocking disbelief) or from Dutch "hoekje" (in a corner, hidden), brought across by Dutch settlers in New York. The school skipper is hiding around the corner from authority, with both fishing rod and conscience tucked out of view, ready to come back when the teacher gives up.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Silver Night Confidant Official watcher of this expression
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