Crossword Dictionary
skit
skit, skits - n
a short dramatic scene
A skit is a funny or informative short play. It's usually more fun to perform a skit about an alien invasion than a skit about workplace safety.
You might watch a skit about bullying at school, and the local theater troupe may perform skits in the park for kids. In stand-up or improvisational comedy, skits are more commonly called "sketches." Skit comes from the now-obsolete Scottish skit, "a vain, frivolous, or wanton girl," which became "a satirical remark" in English, and then "a piece of light satire."
etymology
1820, "piece of light satire or caricature, lampoon," from the earlier sense of "a satirical remark or reflection" (1727), which apparently is from an earlier still sense of "a light wench; a vain, frivolous, or wanton girl" (1570s, originally Scottish, now archaic).
This is said to be from or related to a verb skit "go off suddenly; shy or be skittish" (1610s), which is of uncertain origin, perhaps ultimately from Old Norse skjuta "to shoot, move quickly," cognate of Old English sceotan (see shoot (v.)), or perhaps it is a back-formation from skittish.