firstfoot

1 of 2

noun

plural -s

1

British : the first person entering a house on New Year's day, such a person being popularly believed to bring good luck to the household if brunet and bad luck if blond

2

British : the first person met on the way to a special event (such as a christening or wedding)

firstfoot

2 of 2

verb

"

transitive verb

British

: to enter (a household) as a firstfoot

intransitive verb

1

British : to be a firstfoot

—usually used with it

2

British : to go about to various houses intending to be firstfoot

Word History

Etymology

Noun

first entry 1 + foot

First Known Use

Noun

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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