"23 skidoo"

In the early 20th century, during more genteel times, gentlemen who were, after all, men as well, would sometimes gather at the confluence of Broadway and Fifth Avenue at the Flatiron Building on 23rd Street in New York.

There, the winds blowing up and down the intersecting streets would collide and sometimes, with luck, raise the skirts of passing ladies and provide the gents with a look at a usually-unseen ankle or, on a good day, even a calf.

Police officers, being men as well, but still charged with a certain level of moral decorum, would shoo such gatherings of men away and thus, perhaps, give rise to the American slang term, "23 skidoo," meaning to leave quickly or be forced to leave quickly or "get while the getting is good."

I wonder if a time will come when there is some wider recognition that "sexy" has more to do with being dressed than undressed.