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CharmYou Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
Play truant?
Do you say playing truant in AmE?
My dictionary says truant is only used in BrE, the AmE equivalent is playing hooky. So if I don't want to go to the class, can I say i'm playing hooky?
However, last time when I was watching New York Time, the word truant appeared more than one time! I was wondering why they are using the BrE term in New York and pronouncing it with an American accent.
What do you say to express the idea of not attending a class? Can I use Playing truant in America?
My dictionary says truant is only used in BrE, the AmE equivalent is playing hooky. So if I don't want to go to the class, can I say i'm playing hooky?
However, last time when I was watching New York Time, the word truant appeared more than one time! I was wondering why they are using the BrE term in New York and pronouncing it with an American accent.
What do you say to express the idea of not attending a class? Can I use Playing truant in America?
Top answer
Truant and truancy are the correct terms in both BrE and AmE for unauthorised absence from school. "Playing hooky" is informal American slang for truancy (and possibly dated slang, I don't know, I'm not American), as in the term the kids themselves would use. )
- Truant and truancy are the correct terms in both BrE and AmE for unauthorised absence from school.
- "Playing hooky" is informal American slang for truancy (and possibly dated slang, I don't know, I'm not American), as in the term the kids themselves would use.
- )
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8 Answers
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Truant and truancy are the correct terms in both BrE and AmE for unauthorised absence from school.
"Playing hooky" is informal American slang for truancy (and possibly dated slang, I don't know, I'm not American), as in the term the kids themselves would use.
The British slang equivalent might have been "playing truant" in the 1940s or something, but most British kids have devel
"Playing hooky" is informal American slang for truancy (and possibly dated slang, I don't know, I'm not American), as in the term the kids themselves would use.
The British slang equivalent might have been "playing truant" in the 1940s or something, but most British kids have devel
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Fosse8skiving, ditching, mitching, sacking (it) offSkiving is the one I'm familiar with (not that I ever did, of course!). Where are the others used?
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Truant and truancy are also words in AmE, but not the expression "playing truant."
Playing hooky is American slang, but somewhat outdated. More current terms are ditching class/school, skipping class/school, cutting class/school, and I'm sure there are others.
Playing hooky is American slang, but somewhat outdated. More current terms are ditching class/school, skipping class/school, cutting class/school, and I'm sure there are others.
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CharmYouDo you say playing truant in AmE?My dictionary says truant is only used in BrE, the AmE equivalent is playing hooky. So if I don't want to go to the class, can I say i'm playing hooky? However, last time when I was watching New York Time, the word truant appeared more than one time! I was wondering why they are using the BrE term in New York and pronouncing it wit
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When I was teaching in England (late 1960 to 1990s), pupils used to bunk off - not from my lessons, of course.
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