hooky

n. [ Written also hookey. ] [ Cf. Hook, v. t., 3. ] A word used only in the expression to play hooky, to be truant, to run away; -- used mostly of youths absent from school without a valid reason and without the knowledge of their parents. Also (figuratively and jocosely), to be absent from duty for frivolous reasons. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

This talk about boys . . . playing ball, and “hooky, ” and marbles, was all moonshine. F. Hopkinson Smith. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]