> > 23 Skidoo came from the Flatiron Building in New York City. Set the way back machine to a time when a glimpse of a woman's ankle was rather risque, Sherman. When wind blew around the corner of the Flatiron Building, located at 23rd Street and Broadway (and Fifth Avenue), women's skirts would blow up allowing young rapscallions a glimpse at the fairer sex. This corner at 23rd Street soon became a popular place for loitering young gentlemen. The police would come around and chase off the loiterers, the old 23 skidoo.
> >
> > Which is how 23 skidoo came about to mean "let's get out of here".
>
> Interesting how knowing the origins puts it in context. My assumption was that "23 skidoo" meant "get lost", instead of "let's scram". Still don't know how the 'skidoo' part got into it.
>
> About the Flatiron Building... It has a triangular corner abutting into a fork in the road? I'll swear I've seen a building like that in London, England. It's somewhat shorter and squatter and probably a lot cleaner on the outside. :-) Perhaps someone knows what this London building is called...
>
>
> > -Faux "also knows where '86 it' came from" Pas
>
> '86 it'. Never heard of it. Clarify?
>
> Wolf "Yeah, and how about that curious phrase 'Let's blow this joint' as a more violent metaphor for leaving the locale"

I wonder how many cities have a Flatiron Building?
I remember one in Norfolk, Virginia, but that was in 1948 and it looked old then.
Howard