Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to act energetically, to have fun; to leave at speed.

1935		D. Burley Chicago Defender 28 Sept. 2/3: The squawk comes when the young missus wants to get off to herself where she can ‘skiffle’ when hubby is at work.
1935		Chicago Defender 28 Dec. 4/3: Kids ditching grade school to ‘skiffle’ at ‘Doggie’ and Thelma Hunter’s house at 37th and Vernon Avenue.
1947		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 19 Apr. 19: Suppose the cops are chasing you? Skiffle? Suppose the chick is drinking up too much Scotch on your check and sli;ping notes the the cxharacter standing next to her [...] you skiffle!

2. to struggle for survival.

1944

D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 15 Jan. 10A: The cats and the bats [...] played like mad in the backbeat 12, skiffling and skuffling, trying to get under the wire.