What does "skedaddle" mean — and why is it funny?

informal, humorous

Meaning

To run away or leave somewhere quickly.

Where it comes from

An American word that became popular during the Civil War of the 1860s, often used for soldiers fleeing a battle. Its exact roots are unknown.

Why it is funny

The humor is how the word scrambles as you say it. 'Skedaddle' tumbles out in a hurry, all skittering syllables, sounding exactly like the panicked, undignified dash it describes.

Used in a sentence

"When the rain started, the whole picnic skedaddled for the cars."