Play Hooky

Play Hooky

Welcome to English in a minute!

There are many types of games people can play.

But what does it mean when you’re doing this?

Hey, I didn’t see you in our fitness class today.

Yeah… I was playing hooky.

I Just didn’t feel like going all the way across town for class.

Oh, I see, Well, next time, let me know, so I can play hooky, too.

“To play hooky” means to be absent from a place or event, where you are supposed to be without permission.

Often this expression is used for children who are absent from school.

Some believe the noun “hooky” may have come from the 19th century phrase, hook it, meaning “escape.”

And that’s English in a Minute!