I used _quick, let's scarper before the boss comes back_ to inject some levity into a recent meeting, but got only blank stares for my trouble.  When asked to explain _scarper_ to my American chums, all I could think of was _you know, as in 'scarper lads, its the filth'_, i.e. run away quickly before the police catch you, but _run away quickly_ really doesn't convey the essence of this truly useful word.  Is there a good American English equivalent?