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First footing

First footing

Meaning

Making a round of visits at New Year.

Examples

As soon as the clock strikes midnight on 31st December we’ll be off around town first footing all our neighbours.

Where did it originate?

Britain, especially Scotland, from 19th century onward.

Where is it used?

Mostly Scotland but has travelled with Scots throughout the world.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
First footing

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