- Whereas “depart” is used in a more formal register, “dip” is used instead in very casual settings because it’s a slang term.
dip (2)
clipping verb
to leave inconspicuously, especially early or during a difficult activity
Etymology : According to Tony Thorne’s Dictionary of Contemporary Slang, this term dates back to early hip-hop as a term for leaving, popularized through African-American street slang, often for gang members. It is currently theorized that the word “depart” was simply clipped to leave only the first syllable, then the /e/ was shortened to an /ɪ/. The use of “dip” as slang for “leave” was limited to the twentieth century according to Thorne, but in recent years it has come to mean leaving suddenly. This can possibly be attributed to a reanalysis of the word as the quick action of coming in and out of a body of water. This reanalysis could be responsible for the connotation that the activity of leaving is done quickly much like how a dip necessarily denotes a short period of time to complete an activity.
Source : "We need to head out. Let’s dip.” -conversation with a friend, October 2019
Last modified: 10 December 2019