verb General Slang

Scarper

/ˈskɑːpə/ · verb · informal

To run off or flee fast — Polari and Cockney for making a quick getaway.

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Definitions

1

To run away or escape quickly. The origin is debated: it may come from Italian 'scappare' (to escape) via Polari/Parlyaree, or from Cockney rhyming slang 'Scapa Flow' = go.

“Charpering omi! Scarper!”
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2

In everyday British use, simply to leave hurriedly.

“The kids scarpered the second they heard the bell.”
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3

On the rhyming-slang account, the full form is 'Scapa Flow' (a Scottish naval anchorage), rhyming with 'go'; the rhyming word is dropped to leave 'scarper'.

“Time to scapa flow before the law arrives — scarper!”
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Scarper In A Sentence

We scarpered out the back door as the raid began.
He took one vada at the bill and scarpered without paying.
Grab your vogues and scarper before they clock us.

Origin & Usage

Polari and Cockney slang; the derivation is disputed — either Italian 'scappare' (to escape) via Parlyaree, or rhyming slang 'Scapa Flow' = go — a dual origin both Paul Baker and slang lexicographers acknowledge.

Variants scarperedscarperingscapa
Tags #polari#lgbtq#british#heritage#vintage#rhyming-slang

People Also Ask

What does scarper mean?

It means to run away or flee quickly.

Where does scarper come from?

It is disputed: possibly Italian 'scappare' (to escape) via Polari, or Cockney rhyming slang 'Scapa Flow' = go.

Is scarper rhyming slang?

It may be — from 'Scapa Flow' rhyming with 'go' — but an Italian-via-Polari origin is equally likely.

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