First Footing

Word FIRST FOOTING
Character 13
Hyphenation N/A
Pronunciations N/A

Definitions and meanings of "First Footing"

What do we mean by first footing?

The practice, during Hogmanay, of visiting friends and family, especially to be the first person to cross a home's threshold after midnight on New Year's Eve bearing a small gift.

Synonyms and Antonyms for First Footing

  • Synonyms for first footing
  • First Footing synonyms not found!!!
  • Antonyms for first footing
  • First Footing antonyms not found!

The word "first-footing" in example sentences

Time to j New Year's Eve, 1978; Kirkcaldy, Scotland They'd made a pact, back when they were fifteen, when their parents were first persuaded that they could be allowed out first-footing. ❋ McDermid, Val (2003)

Once a long time ago Carella had been told by a detective of Scottish ancestry that in the northern parts of Great Britain the custom of first-footing is still honored on the first day of the New Year. ❋ Ed McBain (1985)

The gift bearer is the first person to set foot in the house in the New Year: hence, first-footing. ❋ Ed McBain (1985)

Before we leave the subject of British "first-footing" we may notice one or two things that have possibly a racial significance. ❋ Clement A. Miles (N/A)

The New Year calling to offer good wishes resembles in some respects the widespread custom of "first-footing," based on the belief that the character of the first visitor on New Year's Day affects the welfare of the household during the year. ❋ Clement A. Miles (N/A)

The custom of _first-footing_ is still in vogue in many parts of ❋ John Ashton (N/A)

In the north of England first-footing on New Year's Eve is common, and a dark-complexioned person is esteemed as a herald of good fortune. ❋ Unknown (1892)

The first visit on Christmas Day is considered important -- we may compare this with "first-footing" in the British Isles on January 1 -- and in order that the right sort of person may come, some one is specially chosen to be the so-called _polaznik_. ❋ Clement A. Miles (N/A)

_first-footing_ to account, for the purposes of plunder. ❋ John Ashton (N/A)

On New Year’s Eve, the Scots and folks of northern England practiced a tradition called "first-footing." ❋ Joanna Waugh (2008)

This is my own fault for having married into a family whose Scottish heritage includes the custom of “first-footing,” which dictates that the first person to step into the house after midnight on New Year’s Eve determines the homeowner’s luck for the coming year. ❋ Edward Willett (2006)

a straggle of fodder stiffened on snow, comes first-footing the back doors of the little barons: resentful and impenitent, carrying the warm eggs. ❋ Unknown (1972)

"There was, in Scotland, a _first-footing_ independent of the _hot pint_. ❋ John Ashton (N/A)

Cross Reference for First Footing

  • First Footing cross reference not found!

What does first footing mean?

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