scoot
Move over quick, or take off in a hurry.
Also called scooch, scootch.
Updated September 24, 2026
scoot pronunciation
/SKOOT/
Meaning
Scoot covers two everyday moves in rural Southern talk. Scoot over means slide aside on a pew, truck seat, or porch swing so somebody else can sit. Scoot also means leave fast: I better scoot before dark. Either way, you are shifting without a big production.
How folks use it
- “Scoot over so your uncle can sit down.”
- “I better scoot if I'm gonna make it to the feed store.”
Origin and etymology
American English for darting or sliding quick. Midland and Southern speech made scoot over and scoot down standard for making room on a bench. The leave-quick sense rides alongside it in casual country talk.
Frequently asked questions
Does scoot down mean move lower?
Often no. In the South, scoot down usually means slide over to make room.