what does it mean to play hooky

To play hooky means to skip school, work, or any other obligation without a justified excuse. The phrase "playing hooky" is an idiom that means "to be truant, to hook {escape} school". The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it has been around since the mid-1800s. Some theories suggest that it may have originated from the phrase "hook Jack," which was used in the sense of "play truant" during the period 1840-1850. Others suggest that it may have originated from the phrase "hooking Jack," which meant the same thing in Boston. Regardless of its origin, playing hooky is generally considered to be an act of irresponsibility and can have consequences such as missed opportunities, disciplinary action, or damage to ones reputation.